Sulfur (S) is the name of element 16. It is a yellow powdery element, sometimes in the form of crystals. It is a nonmetal and is in period 3. Sulfur also colors the surface of Io, a moon of Jupiter.
It was discovered in 3750 BCE[citation needed].
Sulfur is located below oxygen on the periodic table, which means it readily forms sulfide (S2-) ions. Sulfide ions are about 1.5 times the size of oxide ions. This larger ion allows better packing in metal sulfide crystals than is possible with oxides in many cases, notably the Period 5 and 6 transition metals. Sulfides are the principal ores of such metals as Ag, Pb, Zn, and Hg.
Elemental sulfur is odorless. Its reputation for stench comes from its compounds. Hydrogen sulfide and many thiols (organic compounds containing the -SH group) can be smelled at concentrations far below 1 ppm. Their odors are unpleasant. Both things probably evolved as a way for an animal to protect itself against spoiled food. Sulfur dioxide, on the other hand, has a sharp, acrid odor. This makes sense, considering that SO2 dissolved in water is sulfurous acid. Its "smell" is mostly a matter of irritated nasal membranes.
Isotopes[]
Sulfur 32 (95.02%)
Sulfur 33 (0.75%)
Sulfur 34 (4.21%)
Sulfur 36 (0.02%)
.
