Atomic number 16
Sulfur
Nonmetal
In the real world
Quick facts
- Atomic mass
- 32.060
- Group
- 16
- Period
- 3
- State (STP)
- solid
- Electronegativity
- 2.58
- Common ox. states
- -2, +4, +6
Properties
[Ne] 3s² 3p⁴
- Ionization energy
- 999.6 kJ/mol
- Electron affinity
- 200.0 kJ/mol
- Melting point
- 388.36 K (115.2 °C)
- Boiling point
- 717.80 K (444.6 °C)
How dangerous is it?
A bright yellow solid that is safe to hold, but it will burn, and burning sulfur makes a choking gas.
- FlammableImmediate
It is a combustible solid that catches fire and keeps burning with a blue flame.
Kept away from heat and flame and stored in a cool, closed container.
- ToxicImmediate
When it burns it makes sulfur dioxide, a sharp gas that stings the eyes and lungs. (the solid is mild; the danger appears once it is set alight)
Any burning is done in a fume hood or outdoors so the gas is carried away.
How it bonds
Sulfur sits below oxygen and starts the same - 2 bonds, 2 lone pairs (H₂S). But sulfur has access to 3d orbitals, so it routinely expands its octet: 4 bonds in SO₂, 6 bonds in SF₆ and H₂SO₄. Sulfur also chains: S₈ rings are the form you find in elemental yellow sulfur.
