Moderate

The molecular geometry of SO2 is:

Correct answer: C. Angular

  • A. Annular
  • B. Ring
  • C. Angular
  • D. Linear

Explanation

In SO2, sulfur is bonded to two oxygen atoms, and it also has one lone pair of electrons. The presence of the lone pair affects the molecule's shape. The two oxygen atoms are located on one side of the sulfur atom, and the lone pair is on the opposite side. This unequal distribution of electron density results in a bent or angular shape with an approximate bond angle of 119.5 degrees. The lone pair causes greater repulsion and pushes the two oxygen atoms closer together, leading to the bent molecular geometry.

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Chemical bonding explains molecular shape through VSEPR theory and distinguishes sigma bonds from pi bonds. Questions involve hybridization, bond angles, dipole moment and bond energy, including how electron-pair repulsion determines geometry and how bond polarity differs from the overall polarity of a molecule.

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