Comment on the nature of two S–O bonds formed in `SO_(2)` molecule. Are the two S–O bonds in this molecule equal ?

Explanation

In `SO_(2)`, S is `sp^(2)`-hybridized. Two of the three `sp^(2)`-orbitals form two `sigma`-bonds with oxygen atoms while the third contains the lone pair of electrons. S is now left with one half-filled p-orbital and one half-filled d-orbital. These form one `p pi - p pi` and one `p pi - d pi` double bond with oxygen atom. Thus, the two S-O bonds appear to be different but actually they are equal (bond length = 143 pm) due to resonance.