The lone pair of electrons in a molecule spread out

more than the bond pair electrons

The correct answer is option 1. more than the bond pair electrons. 

Lone Pair Electrons vs. Bond Pair Electrons

Lone Pair Electrons:

Lone pairs are localized on a single atom and are not involved in bonding with other atoms. They occupy a larger region of space around the atom compared to bond pairs.  Lone pairs are more spread out because they are repelled only by the nucleus of the atom they belong to. This repulsion results in a more diffuse electron cloud.

Bond Pair Electrons:

Bond pairs are shared between two atoms in a covalent bond, primarily localized in the region between the bonded atoms. They are more localized compared to lone pairs because they are shared between two nuclei, which pull the electrons closer to themselves. Bond pairs are less spread out in comparison to lone pairs because they are attracted to the nuclei of both atoms involved in the bond.

Explanation of Option (1) More than the bond pair electrons.

This statement correctly identifies that lone pair electrons are more spread out in space compared to bond pair electrons. Lone pairs occupy larger regions of space around the atom because they are not confined between two nuclei like bond pairs are. The repulsion lone pairs experience is only from the nucleus of the atom they belong to, allowing them to spread out more freely compared to bond pairs, which are localized between two atoms.

Therefore, option (1) accurately describes the spatial distribution of lone pair electrons relative to bond pair electrons in molecules. Lone pairs are indeed more spread out in space due to their localized presence on a single atom and their repulsion from the atom's nucleus. This diffuse distribution of lone pairs influences molecular geometry and chemical reactivity significantly.