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15. Phosphorus17. Chlorine
16S32.06

Sulfur

Reactive non-metals

Poor conductors that build the molecules of living things and much of the air.

[Ne] 3s² 3p⁴

Atomic number
16
Atomic mass
32.06
Protons
16
Neutrons
16 (most common)
Electrons
16
Shells
2, 8, 6
State at 25 °C
Solid
Position
Group 16, period 3
Proton (+)Neutron (0)Electron (−)
Discovered byKnown since ancient times

Sulfur was known in the ancient world and appears in old texts as brimstone. Lavoisier confirmed it was an element in 1777.

Did you know?

  • Pure sulfur has almost no smell. The rotten-egg smell comes from hydrogen sulfide.
  • It is bright yellow.

Where it's found

  • Near volcanoes
  • Onions, garlic and eggs
  • Many metal ores

What it's used for

  • Sulfuric acid, the most produced industrial chemical
  • Making rubber tough
  • Fertilisers

Try it

There's no safe home experiment for Sulfur. Explore it with the animated atom above instead.