Which type of bonding is present in sulfur trioxide (SO_3)?

• A. Covalent bonding
• B. Metallic bonding
• C. Ionic bonding
• D. Hydrogen bonding

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the elements involved in the compound SO_3: sulfur (S) and oxygen (O), both nonmetals.
2. Recall that bonding between nonmetal atoms typically involves sharing electrons, which is characteristic of covalent bonding.
3. Consider the nature of sulfur trioxide: it is a molecular compound formed by sharing electrons between sulfur and oxygen atoms.
4. Eliminate other bonding types: metallic bonding occurs between metal atoms, ionic bonding occurs between metals and nonmetals with electron transfer, and hydrogen bonding is an intermolecular force, not a primary bond within a molecule.
5. Conclude that the bonding in SO_3 is covalent bonding, where electrons are shared between sulfur and oxygen atoms.