Multiple Choice
Which of the following best describes the molecular geometry of carbon dioxide (CO_2)?
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12. Molecular Shapes & Valence Bond Theory
Molecular Geometry
Multiple Choice
What is the molecular geometry of SO_2?
A
Tetrahedral
B
Bent
C
Trigonal planar
D
Linear
Verified step by step guidance1
Step 1: Draw the Lewis structure of SO_2. Count the total valence electrons from sulfur (S) and oxygen (O) atoms. Sulfur has 6 valence electrons, and each oxygen has 6, so total valence electrons = 6 + 2 × 6 = 18 electrons.
Step 2: Arrange the atoms with sulfur as the central atom bonded to two oxygen atoms. Use two pairs of electrons to form double bonds between sulfur and each oxygen to satisfy the octet rule as much as possible.
Step 3: Count the remaining electrons after bonding. Place any leftover electrons as lone pairs on the central sulfur atom. In SO_2, sulfur has one lone pair of electrons.
Step 4: Determine the electron pair geometry using the VSEPR theory. The central sulfur atom has three regions of electron density (two bonding pairs and one lone pair), which corresponds to a trigonal planar electron geometry.
Step 5: Determine the molecular geometry by considering only the positions of atoms (ignoring lone pairs). With one lone pair and two bonded atoms, the molecular geometry is bent (or angular), not linear or trigonal planar.
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