sulfur dioxide lewis structure

Answer: The Lewis structure for sulfur dioxide (SO\(_2\)) consists of a sulfur atom bonded to two oxygen atoms with one double bond and one single bond.

Explanation: In the Lewis structure of SO\(_2\), sulfur (S) is the central atom. It forms a double bond with one oxygen (O) atom and a single bond with the other oxygen atom. The double bond consists of two pairs of shared electrons, while the single bond consists of one pair. Additionally, the oxygen atom with the single bond will have three lone pairs of electrons, while the oxygen atom with the double bond will have one lone pair.

Steps:

  1. Count the total valence electrons: Sulfur has 6, and each oxygen has 6, totaling 18 valence electrons.
  2. Place sulfur in the center and connect it to the two oxygen atoms.
  3. Form a double bond with one oxygen and a single bond with the other.
  4. Distribute the remaining electrons as lone pairs on the oxygen atoms to satisfy the octet rule.

The final structure can be represented as:

   O
   ||
S -- O
   :

Where the double bond is between sulfur and one oxygen, and the single bond is between sulfur and the other oxygen.