Question

Predict the geometry around the central atom in SO2- A) trigonal pyramidal B) tetrahedral C) octahedral D) trigonal planar E) trigonal bipyramidal

Answer 1

Answer: The correct answer is Option D.

Explanation:

To calculate the hybridization of $SO_2$, we use the equation:

$\text{Number of electron pair}=\frac{1}{2}[V+N-C+A]$

where,

V = number of valence electrons present in central atom  (S) = 6

N = number of monovalent atoms bonded to central atom  = 0

C = charge of cation  = 0

A = charge of anion = 0

Putting values in above equation, we get:

$\text{Number of electron pair}=\frac{1}{2}[6]=3$

The number of electron pair around the central metal atom are 3. This means that the hybridization will be $sp^2$ and the electronic geometry of the molecule will be trigonal planar.

Hence, the correct answer is Option D.