SO2 Molecular Geometry / Shape and Bond Angles (Sulfur Dioxide)

A quick explanation of the molecular geometry of SO2 including a description of the SO2 bond angles.

We can see that there are only two atoms attached to the central Sulfur (S) atom and there is one electron pair (also called a lone pair) on the Sulfur. Based on VSEPR Theory (Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion Theory) the SO2 molecular shape will be Bent. This is because the Valence Shell Electron Pairs Repel each other. When they do so they are forced to the opposite side of the Sulfur atom giving SO2 a Bent molecular shape. The lone pair of electrons is at the top of the SO2 molecule.

The SO2 bond angle will be 120 degrees (actual value is 119 degrees) since it has a Bent molecular geometry.

Helpful Resources:

• How to Draw Lewis Structures:    • How to Draw Lewis Structures: Five Ea...  
• Molecular Geometry and VSEPR Explained:    • Molecular Geometry: Rules, Examples, ...  
• Using the AXE Method for Molecular Geo:    • Molecular Geometry, Bond Angle, Hybri...  

• Molecular Geo App: https://phet.colorado.edu/sims/html/m...

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Drawing/writing done in InkScape. Screen capture done with Camtasia Studio 4.0. Done on a Dell Dimension laptop computer with a Wacom digital tablet (Bamboo).