Sulfur dioxide is commonly used as a preservative. Its chemical formula is SO2. The model below represents sulfur dioxide.

Question

Based on the model, which statement best describes sulfur dioxide?
A.
The molecules of sulfur dioxide are able to freely move past each other.
B.
The molecules of sulfur dioxide are made of one type of atom.
C.
The molecules of sulfur dioxide form a repeating pattern of one type of atom.
D.
The molecules of sulfur dioxide form an extended structure.

Answer 1

The best statement that describes sulfur dioxide (SO2) from the options provided is:

A. The molecules of sulfur dioxide are able to freely move past each other.

This statement is accurate because sulfur dioxide is a gas at room temperature, and gases consist of molecules that are spaced apart and can move freely past each other.

The other statements are not correct for sulfur dioxide:

• B is incorrect because the molecules are made of two types of atoms: sulfur and oxygen.
• C is incorrect because sulfur dioxide does not form a repeating pattern of one type of atom; rather, it consists of discrete molecules of sulfur and oxygen.
• D is incorrect because, while sulfur dioxide can form intermolecular interactions, it does not form an extended structure like a solid lattice would.