What is the hybridization of the central atom (sulfur) in SO_2?

• A. sp^3
• B. sp^2
• C. dsp^2
• D. sp

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the central atom in SO_2, which is sulfur (S).
2. Determine the number of valence electrons for sulfur and oxygen atoms. Sulfur has 6 valence electrons, and each oxygen has 6 valence electrons.
3. Draw the Lewis structure of SO_2, showing sulfur bonded to two oxygen atoms with double bonds and including lone pairs on sulfur if any.
4. Count the regions of electron density (bonding and lone pairs) around the sulfur atom. Each double bond counts as one region, and lone pairs count as one region each.
5. Use the number of electron density regions to determine the hybridization of sulfur using the following: 2 regions = sp, 3 regions = sp\^2, 4 regions = sp\^3. Since sulfur has 3 regions of electron density, the hybridization is sp\^2.