Use VSEPR theory to predict the electron-pair geometry and the molecular geometry of sulfur dioxide,SO₂. A) The electron-pair geometry is trigonal-planar,the molecular geometry is trigonal-planar. B) The electron-pair geometry is trigonal-planar,the molecular geometry is bent. C) The electron-pair geometry is tetrahedral,the molecular geometry is bent. D) The electron-pair geometry is tetrahedral,the molecular geometry is linear. E) The electron-pair geometry is trigonal-bipyramidal,the molecular geometry is linear.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

According to VSEPR theory, the electron-pair geometry of sulfur dioxide is trigonal-planar because there are three regions of electron density around the sulfur atom. However, two of these regions are occupied by bonded pairs of electrons and one region is occupied by a lone pair of electrons. This lone pair causes repulsion and pushes the bonded pairs closer together, leading to a bent molecular geometry. Therefore, the best choice is B, where the electron-pair geometry is trigonal-planar and the molecular geometry is bent.

Use VSEPR Theory to Predict the Electron-Pair Geometry and the Molecular