Hybridisation in `SO_2` molecule is

Options

A. sp
B. `sp^2`
C. `sp^3`
D. `sp^3d`

Explanation

To determine the hybridization of the sulfur dioxide (SO₂) molecule, we can follow these steps:

### Step 1: Determine the Valence Electrons
- Sulfur (S) is in group 16 of the periodic table, which means it has 6 valence electrons.
- Each oxygen (O) atom also has 6 valence electrons, and there are two oxygen atoms in SO₂.

**Calculation:**
- Total valence electrons = Valence electrons of S + 2 × Valence electrons of O
- Total valence electrons = 6 + 2 × 6 = 6 + 12 = 18 electrons.

**Hint:** Remember to count the valence electrons from both the central atom and the surrounding atoms.

### Step 2: Draw the Lewis Structure
- In SO₂, sulfur forms double bonds with each oxygen atom.
- Each double bond uses 4 electrons (2 from sulfur and 2 from oxygen).
- After forming the two double bonds, sulfur will have 2 electrons left, which will remain as a lone pair.

**Lewis Structure:**
```
O
||
S==O
|
Lone Pair
```

**Hint:** Drawing the Lewis structure helps visualize how atoms are bonded and how many lone pairs are present.

### Step 3: Count Bond Pairs and Lone Pairs
- In the Lewis structure, there are 2 double bonds (which count as 2 bond pairs) and 1 lone pair on sulfur.
- Therefore, we have:
- Bond pairs = 2
- Lone pairs = 1

**Hint:** Count only the sigma bonds and lone pairs for determining hybridization.

### Step 4: Determine the Hybridization
- The total number of regions of electron density (bond pairs + lone pairs) around the central atom (sulfur) is 3 (2 bond pairs + 1 lone pair).
- According to VSEPR theory, if there are 3 regions of electron density, the hybridization is sp².

**Hint:** Use the formula: Hybridization type = Number of regions of electron density.

### Step 5: Identify the Molecular Geometry
- With sp² hybridization, the molecular geometry is trigonal planar.
- This means the angles between the bonds are approximately 120 degrees.

**Hint:** The geometry can help confirm the hybridization type based on the arrangement of electron pairs.

### Conclusion
The hybridization of the sulfur atom in the SO₂ molecule is **sp²**.

**Final Answer:** The hybridization in SO₂ is **sp²**.

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