16S32.060
Sulfur
Other nonmetals · solid at STP · Block P
About
Sulfur is a bright yellow, nonmetallic crystalline solid, known since antiquity as brimstone. It's known for its distinct smell when burned (as sulfur dioxide). It is essential for life, being a component of the amino acids cysteine and methionine. Its main commercial use is in the production of sulfuric acid, one of the most important industrial chemicals, used in fertilizers and batteries.
Atomic Properties
Atomic Number16
Atomic Weight32.06 u
Neutrons (common)16
Electron Configuration[Ne] 3s² 3p⁴
Full Configuration1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁴
Electrons per Shell2, 8, 6
Electronegativity2.58
Electron Affinity200.41 kJ/mol
Oxidation States+6, +4, +2, 0, -2
Covalent Radius102 pm
Van der Waals Radius180 pm
Ionic Radius184 pm
Periodic Table Position
Group16
Period3
BlockP
Chemical SeriesOther nonmetals
Physical Properties
State at STPsolid
Appearancelemon yellow soft nonmetallic solid
Crystal Structureorthorhombic
Magnetic Orderingdiamagnetic
Thermal Properties
Melting Point388.36 K
Boiling Point717.8 K
Triple Point388.36 K
Thermal Expansion0 1/K
Thermal Conductivity0.269 W/(m·K)
Specific Heat0.71 J/(g·K)
Molar Heat22.75 J/(mol·K)
Heat of Fusion1.727 kJ/mol
Heat of Vaporization10 kJ/mol
Abundance
In Earth's Crust350 ppm
In Ocean905 ppm
In Solar System447 ppm
In Human Body2,000 ppm
In Universe500 ppm
Discovery
Discovered byKnown since antiquity
Discovery YearAncient
Occurrenceprimordial
CAS Number7704-34-9
Electron Configuration
Energy
↿⇂
↿⇂
↿⇂
↿⇂
↿⇂
↿⇂
↿⇂
↿
↿
4s
3d
4p
5s
4d
5p
6s
4f
5d
6p
7s
5f
6d
7p
Isotopes of Sulfur
| Symbol ▲ | Mass (u) ▲ | Abundance ▲ | Half-life ▲ | Decay Mode ▲ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 32S | 31.972071 | 94.99% | Stable | Stable |
| 33S | 32.971458 | 0.75% | Stable | Stable |
| 34S | 33.967867 | 4.25% | Stable | Stable |
| 35S | 34.969032 | — | 87.37 d | Beta Minus Decay |
| 36S | 35.967081 | 0.01% | Stable | Stable |
Interactive Visualization
Explore the 3D Bohr model of Sulfur in our interactive viewer.
View 3D Model of Sulfur