The shape of a molecule may sound trivial or merely physical but it determines the reactivity of that molecule. The molecular geometry of a molecule or compound could be either linear or bent with different bond angles. In this article, I will be discussing the molecular geometry of sulfur dioxide, SO2.
Sulfur dioxide is an inorganic compound that consists of one sulfur and two oxygen atoms. It is an acid anhydride that will produce sulphuric acid upon reaction with water.
Molecular geometry influences the reaction with water and other molecules to form compounds. Read along to learn all about the molecular geometry of SO2.
Properties of SO2
- Sulfur dioxide is an inorganic, heavy, colorless, and toxic gas
- SO2 is a pungent-smelling gas that is an intermediate product in the production of sulphuric acid
- This gas smells like a freshly struck match stick but it is also a naturally occurring gas. SO2 is present in volcanic gases and some springs
- SO2 has a melting point of – 98°F (-72°C) and a boiling point of 14°F (-10°C)
What is the molecular geometry of SO2?
The molecular geometry of SO2 is bent or V-shaped. The sulfur atom is the central atom of the inverted V-shaped molecule. The two oxygen atoms are held at the two ends by the repulsive effect of the lone pair of electrons on the sulfur atom.
The electron pair repulsion against the two oxygen atoms pulls them together but pulls them away from the central atom.
What is the electron geometry of SO2?
Sulfur dioxide, SO2, has two double bonds and a lone pair on the sulfur atom. The arrangement of these electrons forms a trigonal planar structure.
What is the electron pair geometry of SO2?
The electron pair geometry of SO2 is tetrahedral. Electron pair geometry is the arrangement of bonded and lone pair electrons around a central atom.
What is the hybridization of SO2?
Sulfur dioxide, SO2, has an SP2 hybridization and a hybridization number of 3.
Is SO2 a polar or nonpolar compound?
SO2 is a polar compound.
Oxygen is a more electronegative element than sulfur. So, it has a greater pull on the covalent bond it shares with sulfur. The electronegativity difference between the sulfur and oxygen atoms creates a polarity on the molecule.
The bonds lie 120° from each other and make them create dipole moments, which is characteristic of polar compounds.
Can molecular geometry be the same as electron pair geometry?
Yes, it can. If all the electrons around the central atom are bond pairs, then, molecular geometry can be the same as electron pair geometry.
FAQs
How many electron sets are in SO2?
Sulfur dioxide, SO2, contains 9 electron pairs, that is, 18 valence electrons. 5 of the 9 pairs are lone pair electrons while the other 4 are what form the sigma and pi bonds.
What is the charge on SO2?
The charge of SO2 is zero.
What kind of bonding does SO2 have?
Sulfur dioxide, SO2, comprises 2 sigma bonds, 2 pi bonds, and one lone pair of electrons.
Sulfur shares two electrons with the two oxygen to form two sigma bonds. It shares another pair of two electrons with the two oxygen atoms to form two pi bonds.
Is SO2 a covalent or ionic compound?
SO2 is a covalent compound made of two nonmetals. Ionic compounds, on the other hand, are made of metals and nonmetals (the metal transfers the electrons while the nonmetal accepts the electrons).
Conclusion
SO2 is a V-shaped bent compound. It has a trigonal planar electron geometry and a tetrahedral electron pair geometry. The arrangement of the atoms and electrons largely influences how this compound reacts.
SO2 is a covalent compound In because it comprises two nonmetals that share two electrons to create a bond.
Also, read about the charge of SO3.
Thanks for reading.
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