Question

The hybridisation of sulphur in sulphur dioxide is:
A.\[{\text{sp}}\]
B.\[{\text{s}}{{\text{p}}^3}\]
C.\[{\text{s}}{{\text{p}}^2}\]
D.\[{\text{ds}}{{\text{p}}^2}\]

Answer 1

Hint: The hybridisation will be calculated using the formula. Only monovalent species are used in the formula. Oxygen is a bivalent species.Sulphur is group number 16 element. The atomic number of sulphur is 16 and it belongs to the third period. It has 6 valence electrons in its valence shell.

Complete step by step answer:
The formula in sulphur dioxide is \[{\text{S}}{{\text{O}}_2}\]
Oxygen is a bivalent species that attaches via double bong with the central atom. Hence 4 electrons will be used in the bond formation and one lone pair will be there. Now let us first calculate the hybridisation using steric number method. The formula for calculation of steric number is as follow:
\[{\text{S}}{\text{.No}} = \dfrac{1}{2}\left[ {{\text{V}} + {\text{B}}{\text{.P}} - {\text{C}} + {\text{A}}} \right]\]
Here S.No is steric number value, V is number of valence electrons on central atom, B.P is number of bond pair of electrons, C is charge on cation and A is charge on anion.
As we can in our case there is 1 lone pair of electron and zero bond pair of electrons because only monovalents bonded atoms are considered while calculating the steric number. The species given is neutral hence the charge on cation and anion would not be considered. The value of steric number will come out to be:
\[{\text{S}}{\text{.No}} = \dfrac{1}{2}\left[ {6 + 2} \right] = 3\]
The hybridisation with steric number 3 is \[{\text{s}}{{\text{p}}^2}\] that is trigonal planar geometry and due to presence of one lone pair the shape will be bent. The lone pairs are never included while stating the shapes of molecules.

Thus, the correct option is C.
Note:
Sulphur dioxide exists as gas at room temperature. It is a toxic gas. It is generated naturally by the volcanic eruptions. Sulphur dioxide is a colorless gas with a pungent odor. It is a liquid when under pressure, and it dissolves in water very easily.