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- SULFUR
- Atomic symbol - S
- Atomic weight - 32.066
- Atomic number - 16
- Electron configuration - 2-8-6
- Oxidation states - +4, +6, -2
- State of matter - solid
- Non-metal
- Discovered in ancient times
- Boils at 444.7 ¯C, melts at 112.8 ¯C
-
- Notes:
- Because sulfur is the least reactive non-metal at room teperature, much occurs
- free in nature. Chemically combined, sulfur is found as sulfide ores, sulfate
- ores, in petroleum, and in organic matter. Free sulfur is obtained by the
- Frach process. Sulfur has three allotropic forms, rhombic sulfur, stable at
- room temperature, monoclinic sulfur, which is stable between 95.6 ¯C and the
- melting point of sulfur, and amorphous sulfur, a plastic rubbery form. All
- forms slowly revert back to the rhombic form if allowed to stand at room
- temperature. Its uses are in the making of sulfur dioxide, sulfuric acid,
- matches, black gunpowder, insecticides and sulfa drugs. Much is used in
- vulcanizing rubber a process where the wearing properties of rubber increases.
-