What is Sulfur? | Types, Definition, Structure, Function & Facts

What is Sulfur?

Sulfur is the second element in the sixteenth column of the periodic table. It is classified as non-metallic. The sulfur atom has 16 electrons and 16 protons with 6 valence electrons in the outermost shell. Sulfur is the tenth most abundant element in the universe.

Sulfur can be in the form of more than 30 different isotopes (crystal structures). It is the most isotropic of all the elements.

Characteristics and Properties

Under standard conditions, sulfur is a pale yellow solid. It is soft and odorless. The most common sulfur allotrope is called octasulfur.

Sulfur is insoluble in water. It also acts as a good insulator.

When burned, sulfur emits a blue flame and melts into a red molten liquid. It also combines with oxygen to form a toxic gas called sulfur dioxide (SO2).

Sulfur forms a variety of compounds, including hydrogen sulfide gas, famous for its strong rotten egg odor. Hydrogen sulfide is dangerous because it is flammable, explosive, and highly toxic.

Highlights of Sulfur:

Where is Sulfur found on Earth?

Elemental sulfur can be found in several regions of Earth, including craters, hot springs, salt domes, and hydrothermal vents.

Sulfur is also found in certain natural compounds called sulfides and sulfates. Some examples are lead sulfide, pyrite, cinnabar, zinc sulfide, gypsum and barite.

Sulfur can be extracted from underground mines. It can also be recovered as a by-product of various industrial processes, including oil refining.

How is Sulfur used today?

Sulfur and its compounds have many industrial applications. Most of the sulfur is used to make the chemical sulfuric acid. Sulfuric acid is the most widely used industrial chemical worldwide. It is used to manufacture automotive batteries, fertilizers, oil refining, water treatment, and mineral extraction.

Other uses of sulfur chemicals include vulcanization of rubber, bleaching of paper and the manufacture of products such as cement, detergents and pesticides. and gunpowder.

Sulfur also plays an important role in sustaining life on Earth. It is the eighth most abundant element in the human body. Sulfur is part of the proteins and enzymes that make up our bodies. It is important in the formation of healthy fats and bones.

How was Sulfur discovered?

Sulfur has been known since ancient times. The ancient cultures of India, China, and Greece were all known for sulfur. It is even mentioned in the Bible as “brimstone”. It is sometimes spelled “sulphur”.

It was the French chemist Antoine Lavoisier who, in 1777, proved that sulfur was one of the elements, not the compound.

Where did Sulfur get its name?

Sulfur got its name from the Latin word “sulphur” formed from a Latin root meaning “to burn”.

Isotopes

There are four stable isotopes of sulfur, including sulfur 32, 33, 34 and 36. The majority of sulfur found in nature is sulfur 32.

Interesting Facts about Sulfur

One of Jupiter’s moons, Io, is yellow due to the large amount of sulfur on its surface. This sulfur comes from many active volcanoes on the moon.

The main source of acid rain is when sulfur dioxide enters the atmosphere and is converted to sulfuric acid.

There is an important sulfur cycle taking place on Earth, similar to other elemental cycles such as the carbon, oxygen, and nitrogen cycles.

Sulfur is created deep inside massive stars by the fusion of silicon and helium.

China, the United States, Canada and Russia produce most of the world’s sulfur.