
Sulfur element (S) is in group 16 and period 3 of a periodic table. Sulfur is in the p-block and it is classified as an oxygen group element (chalcogens) on the periodic table.
There is a lot more information related to sulfur which is mentioned in the Information Table given below.
So let’s dive right into it!
Table of contents
- Sulfur element (Information Table)
- Sulfur element in Periodic table
- Facts about Sulfur
- Properties of Sulfur
- Uses of Sulfur
Sulfur Element (Information Table)
The important data related to sulfur element is given in the table below.
Appearance of sulfur | Lemon yellow |
Atomic number of sulfur | 16 |
Symbol of sulfur | S |
Atomic mass of sulfur | 32.06 u |
Protons, Neutrons & Electrons in sulfur | Protons: 16, Neutrons: 16, Electrons: 16 |
State of sulfur (at STP) | Solid |
Group number of sulfur in periodic table | 16 |
Period number of sulfur in periodic table | 3 |
Block of sulfur in periodic table | p-block |
Category of sulfur | Nonmetals (Chalcogens) |
Bohr model or Electrons per shell or Electrons arrangement in sulfur | 2, 8, 6 |
Electron configuration of sulfur | [Ne] 3s2 3p4 |
Orbital diagram of sulfur | ![]() |
Valence electrons in sulfur | 6 |
Electronegativity of sulfur (on pauling scale) | 2.58 |
Atomic radius of sulfur (van der Waals radius) | 180 picometers |
Density of sulfur | 1.96 g/cm3 |
1st ionization energy of sulfur | 10.360 eV |
Main isotope of sulfur | 32S |
Melting point of sulfur | 388.3 K or 115.2 °C or 239.3 °F |
Boiling point of sulfur | 717.8 K or 444.6 °C or 832.3 °F |
Crystal structure of sulfur | Orthorhombic |
Also see: Interactive Periodic Table (It has rotating bohr models as well as many other details of all the 118 elements in a single periodic table).
Sulfur element in Periodic table
The Sulfur element (S) has the atomic number 16 and is located in group 16 and period 3. Sulfur is a nonmetal and it is classified as a chalcogen element.
H | He | ||||||||||||||||
Li | Be | B | C | N | O | F | Ne | ||||||||||
Na | Mg | Al | Si | P | S | Cl | Ar | ||||||||||
K | Ca | Sc | Ti | V | Cr | Mn | Fe | Co | Ni | Cu | Zn | Ga | Ge | As | Se | Br | Kr |
Rb | Sr | Y | Zr | Nb | Mo | Tc | Ru | Rh | Pd | Ag | Cd | In | Sn | Sb | Te | I | Xe |
Cs | Ba | La* | Hf | Ta | W | Re | Os | Ir | Pt | Au | Hg | Tl | Pb | Bi | Po | At | Rn |
Fr | Ra | Ac** | Rf | Db | Sg | Bh | Hs | Mt | Ds | Rg | Cn | Nh | Fl | Mc | Lv | Ts | Og |
*Ce | Pr | Nd | Pm | Sm | Eu | Gd | Tb | Dy | Ho | Er | Tm | Yb | Lu | ||||
**Th | Pa | U | Np | Pu | Am | Cm | Bk | Cf | Es | Fm | Md | No | Lr |
Facts about sulfur
Here are a few interesting facts about sulfur element.
- Sulfur is the 10th most abundant element found from the earth’s crust.
- Sulfur is an element that can be found in its pure form.
- Sulfur is mostly found from the volcanoes.
- Sulfur is also present in the human body.
- The tears that come in your eyes while cutting onion is due to sulfur present in it.
- The acid rain occurs due to an increase in SO2 in the atmosphere.
- 3% of the earth’s mass is because of the sulfur element present in the earth’s crust.
- Sulfur is also present in meteorites.
Properties of sulfur
Here is a list of some physical properties and chemical properties of sulfur.
Physical properties of sulfur
- Sulfur is a nonmetal and it has a lemon yellow color.
- Pure sulfur is odorless, but the compounds of sulfur have a smell.
- H2S (hydrogen sulfide) smells like rotten eggs and it is a poisonous gas.
- When solid sulfur is burnt, it turns into a reddish color and then it begins to melt.
- The density of sulfur is 1.96 g/cm3 and its atomic mass is 32.06 amu.
- The melting point and boiling point of sulfur are 115.2 °C and 444.6 °C respectively.
Chemical properties of sulfur
- Sulfur can form compounds with many other elements because it has variable oxidation states.
- The sulfur dioxide gas (SO2) present in the atmosphere reacts with moisture and forms a sulfuric acid, which results in acid rain.
- The sulfur burns with a blue flame and it liberates sulfur dioxide gas (H2S), which pollutes the earth’s atmosphere.
- Sulfur is insoluble in water but it is soluble in carbon disulfide.
Uses of sulfur
Here are some uses of the sulfur element.
- The main use of sulfur is in production of sulfuric acid (H2SO4).
- Sulfuric acid (which is a compound of sulfur) is also used in the manufacturing of fertilizers.
- Sulfur is used in the manufacturing of dyes and pigments.
- Sulfur is also used in making rubber and cement.
- Sulfur is also used in vehicle batteries.
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