In this electron pair geometry all the groups of electrons lie in the same plane. The angles between the groups of electrons are 120o. The three groups of electrons arranged around the central atom represent the vertices of a triangle.
Sulfure dioxide (SO2) is an example of a molecule characterized by trigonal planar electron pair geometry. It is composed of one sulfur and two oxygens lying in the same plane. The unshared electron pair is the third group of electrons. In the following structural formula of sulfur dioxide arrows are pointing to the three groups of electrons around the central sulfur atom.
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| Molecular model of sulfur dioxide | Animated model of sulfur dioxide |
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| Structural formula of sulfur dioxide |
