Identify the chemical formula of sulfur dioxide, which is SO\_2, meaning it contains one sulfur (S) atom and two oxygen (O) atoms.
Find the atomic masses of sulfur and oxygen from the periodic table: sulfur (S) has an atomic mass of approximately 32.07 g/mol, and oxygen (O) has an atomic mass of approximately 16.00 g/mol.
Calculate the total mass contributed by sulfur by multiplying the number of sulfur atoms by its atomic mass: 1 \(\times\) 32.07 g/mol.
Calculate the total mass contributed by oxygen by multiplying the number of oxygen atoms by its atomic mass: 2 \(\times\) 16.00 g/mol.
Add the masses of sulfur and oxygen together to find the molar mass of SO\_2: (1 \(\times\) 32.07) + (2 \(\times\) 16.00) g/mol.