Question

Hybridization of sulfur in ${H_2}S{O_4}$ is:
A. $sp$
B. $s{p^2}$
C. $s{p^3}$
D. $s{p^3}{d^2}$

Answer 1

We can determine the hybridization of an atom in a molecule, using steric number. We can calculate the steric number by summing up the number of atoms bonded to the central atom and the lone pairs of electrons on the central metal atom. Let us know that if the steric number is 4, then we say the atom is in $s{p^3}$ hybridization, if the steric number is 3, then it is $s{p^2}$ hybridization, if the steric number is 2, then it is $sp$ hybridization.

Complete step by step answer:
We can the draw the structure of sulfuric acid as,

We can calculate the steric number of sulfur in sulfuric acid by summing up the number of atoms bonded to the central atom and the number of lone pairs in the central atom.
We can calculate the steric number of sulfur as,

$${\text{Steric number = No of atoms bonded to central atom + No of lone pairs in the central atom}} \\\ \\\$$

No. of bonded atoms to central atom=4 ; no. of lone pairs in Sulphur =0 ; substituting the values we get,

$${\text{Steric number = 4 + 0}} \\\ \\\$$ $${\text{Steric number = 4}} \\\ \\\$$

We have calculated the steric number of sulfur is 4. If an atom has steric number 4, we have to know that hybridization of atoms will be $s{p^3}$.

So, the correct answer is Option C .

Note:
We can also determine the hybridization for organic molecules in the following method,
1. If an atom contains single bonds, then it is $s{p^3}$ hybridized. Example for $s{p^3}$ hybridized molecule is methane. Generally, alkanes come under $s{p^3}$ hybridization. Molecules that have $s{p^3}$ hybridization will have tetrahedral geometry.
2. If an atom contains double bonds, then it is $s{p^2}$ hybridized. Example for $s{p^2}$ hybridized molecule is ethene. Generally, alkenes come under $s{p^2}$ hybridization. Molecules that have $s{p^2}$ hybridization will have trigonal planar geometry.
3. If an atom contains triple bonds, then it is $sp$ hybridized. Example for $sp$ hybridized molecule is ethyne. Generally, alkynes come under $sp$ hybridization.