Sulfur

Atomic Number: 16
Symbol: S
Atomic Mass: 32.07 u
Number of Neutrons: 16
Melting Point: 115.2°C
Boiling Point: 444.6°C
Electrons per shell: 2.8.6
Ion charge: 2-
Electron configuration: [Ne] 3s² 3p⁴

---

Sulfur is a reactive non-metal with the atomic number 16. At room temeperature it is a solid. It is an abundant element because is the 5th most common element by earths mass. Elemental sulfur is used in black gunpowder, matches, and fireworks. It is also used in the treatment of certain skin diseases. Sulfur is found naturally in volcanic areas. The sulfur found there is called octasulfur, 8 sulfur atoms together. It can also be found in minerals. Some of the minerals listed are iron pyrites, galena, gypsum and epsom salts. Sulfur is recognized as the element that smells very bad, which is true and smells like rotten eggs. This element has been an element which has been in use since ancient times, but in around 1777, Antoine Lavoisier convinced the rest of the scientific community that sulfur was an element.

Previous Element  Next Element