QQuestionChemistry
QuestionChemistry
Which of the following is a correct Lewis structure for sulfur dioxide, $\mathrm{SO}_{2}$ ?
A.
\mathrm{O}=\mathrm{S}-\mathrm{O}
B.
\mathrm{O}-\mathrm{S}=\mathrm{O}
C.
\mathrm{O}=\mathrm{S}=\mathrm{O}
D.
\mathrm{O}-\mathrm{S}-\mathrm{O}
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Answer
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Step 1:I'll solve this step by step, focusing on drawing the correct Lewis structure for sulfur dioxide (\mathrm{SO}_{2}).
Step 2:: Determine the total number of valence electrons
- Total valence electrons: $$6 + (6 \times 2) = 18$$ electrons
- Sulfur (S): 6 valence electrons - Oxygen (O): 6 valence electrons × 2 atoms
Step 3:: Arrange atoms in the structure
- Sulfur will be the central atom - Two oxygen atoms will be connected to sulfur
Step 4:: Connect atoms and distribute electrons
- Draw single bonds between sulfur and each oxygen - Remaining electrons will form double bonds or lone pairs
Step 5:: Analyze electron distribution
- To achieve octet for all atoms, we need double bonds - The correct structure will have two equivalent resonance structures with double bonds
Step 6:: Evaluate the given options
- Option D ($$\mathrm{O}-\mathrm{S}-\mathrm{O}$$): Incorrect
- Option B (\mathrm{O}-\mathrm{S}=\mathrm{O}): Incorrect
Final Answer
C (\mathrm{O}=\mathrm{S}=\mathrm{O}) is the correct Lewis structure for sulfur dioxide.
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