Steric Number and Molecular Geometry of SO2

The video tutorial explains how to determine the steric number for sulfur dioxide (SO2). It begins with identifying a valid Lewis structure for SO2. The steric number is calculated by counting the total number of atoms bonded to the central sulfur atom and the number of lone pairs on it. For SO2, the steric number is found to be three, which helps in determining the molecular geometry as bent. The tutorial concludes with a brief summary of the findings.

What is the first step in determining the steric number for SO2?

• Drawing a valid Lewis structure

• Identifying the molecular geometry

• Counting the number of lone pairs

• Calculating the bond angles

How many oxygen atoms are bonded to the central sulfur atom in SO2?

• One

• Two

• Four

• Three

What is the steric number of SO2?

• Five

• Four

• Three

• Two

What is the molecular geometry of SO2 based on its steric number?

• Tetrahedral

• Trigonal planar

• Linear

• Bent

How many lone pairs are present on the central sulfur atom in SO2?

• Zero

• Three

• One

• Two