(Q92) Which of the following statements is accurate with respect to the molecularstructures of CO2 and SO2?A) SO2 is linear and CO2 is bent because the central sulfur atom of sulfurdioxide has a lone pairB) Both molecules have a linear structureC) Both molecules are tetrahedral because their central atoms both contain lonepairsD) CO2 is linear and SO2 is bent because the central sulfur atom of sulfurdioxide has a lone pairE) Both molecules have a bent structure

According to VSEPR (valence shell electron pair repulsion theory), the shape of the molecule is determined on the basis of the electrons pairs present on the central atom of the molecule. It assumes that the molecule will take a shape so that electron repulsion in the valence shell of the central atom is minimized.The valence electrons present on carbon is 4. So, CO2 forms two double bonds with two oxygen atoms. One double bond contains one sigma and one pi bond. Therefore, CO2 contains total 2 sigma bonds. The steric number is the sum of the sigma bonds and lone pair of electrons present on the central atom. Hence, the steric number of CO2 is (2 + 0) =2. Therefore, the hybridization of CO2 is sp. Hence, the shape of CO2 molecule is linear.The valence electrons present on sulfur is 6. So, SO2 forms two double bonds with two oxygen atoms and left with one lone pair of electron on it. Therefore, SO2 contains total 2 sigma bonds. The steric number of SO2 is (2 + 1) =3. Therefore, the hybridization of SO2 is sp2. Hence, the geometry of SO2 molecule is trigonal planar but the shape of SO2 molecule is bent due to the presence of one lone pair of electron on sulfur atom. Hence, the correct option is (D).