2. Origin of Sulfur
The name originates from the Latin word 'sulphurium' and Middle
English 'sulfre' or 'swefl' meaning "to burn yellow". The ancient
Latin name was a derivation of the Sanskit word 'Sulvere' meaning
yellow.
The ancient name for sulfur is Brimstone, which derives from the
Old English word brynstan, from 'brin' meaning "to burn" and 'stan'
meaning "stone”.
3. History of Sulfur
Sulfur was first discovered by the Ancient civilizations.
The ancient Romans used sulfur in pyrotechnic displays in the
Roman Colosseum and also in the production of incendiary weapons
including Greek Fire.
In 1787 Antoine Lavoisier listed Sulfur as an element, and not a
compound In 1867, sulfur was discovered in underground deposits
in Louisiana and Texas.
4. History of Sulfur
Sulfur is produced chiefly by the Frasch process for the extraction
of sulfur from subsurface deposits.
It was devised by German-American chemist Herman Frasch in
1887.
Sulfur, the tenth most abundant element in the universe.
5. Element Sulfur
Sulfur (S)
Atomic Number: 16
Atomic Weight: 32.066
Melting Point: 388.36 K (115.21°C or 239.38°F)
Boiling Point: 717.75 K (444.60°C or 832.28°F)
Density: 2.067 grams per cubic centimeter
Phase at Room Temperature: Solid
Element Classification: Non-metal
Period Number: 3 Group Number: 16 Group Name: Chalcogen
6. What is Sulfur?
Sulfur is a solid. It is a pale yellow non-metallic, brittle, element
occurring widely in nature in several free and combined allotropic
forms.
Sulfur is infamous for its highly unpleasant smell. Although solid
sulfur is bright yellow, molten sulfur is bright red.
It is used in black gunpowder, rubber vulcanization, the
manufacture of insecticides and pharmaceuticals, and in the
preparation of sulfur compounds such as Hydrogen sulfide and
sulfuric acid.
7. Occurrence of Sulfur in Nature
It can be found in water, mineral springs and Epsom salts. Other
sources are gypsum, barite, zinc blende, cinnabar, galena, iron
pyrites and other ores and minerals.
This element can also be found in underground deposits and
volcanic regions. Some of the biggest deposits can be found in
Louisiana and Texas. The element’s natural occurrence is in
natural gas, petroleum and coal.
8. Occurrence of Sulfur in Nature
Meteorites are also a good source. Scientists also believe that the
lunar crater Aristarchus and the moons of Jupiter have sulfur too.
Traces of the element can be found in common enzymes.
Amino acids like homocysteine, taurine, methionine and cysteine
have this element too. Elemental sulfur can be taken in roll sulfur,
fine crystalline powder and sulfur flowers.
9. Production of Sulfur
It is so essential, sulfur is commercially generated. The most
common method is to sink wells in places with salt domes.
They are also available in areas with petroleum and natural gas.
Other methods used for its production are the Sicilian and Frasch
processes.
The Sicilian method uses ores that bear sulfur. These are piled and lit
up. Heat is generated. Sulfuric elements are burned which are then
collected.
10. Isotopes: Sulfur has 21 known isotopes ranging from S-27 to S-46
and S-48. Four isotopes are stable: S-32, S-33, S-34 and S-36. S-32
is the most common isotope with an abundance of 95.02%.
Properties: Sulfur has a melting point of 112.8°C (rhombic) or
119.0°C (monoclinic), boiling point of 444.674°C, specific gravity
of 2.07 (rhombic) or 1.957 (monoclinic) at 20°C, with a valence of
2, 4, or 6. Sulfur is a pale yellow, brittle, odorless solid. It is
insoluble in water, but soluble in carbon disulfide. Multiple
allotropes of sulfur are known.
Sulfur
11. Uses of Sulfur
Sulfur is a component of gunpowder. It is used in the
vulcanization of rubber. Sulfur has applications as a fungicide,
fumigant, and in the making of fertilizers.
It is used to make sulfuric acid. Sulfur is used in the making of
several types of paper and as a bleaching agent. Elemental sulfur
is used as an electrical insulator. The organic compounds of sulfur
have many uses.
12. Uses of Sulfur
Sulfur is an element that is essential for life. However, sulfur
compounds can be highly toxic.
For example, small amounts of hydrogen sulfide can be
metabolized, but higher concentrations can quickly cause death
from respiratory paralysis.
Hydrogen sulfide quickly deadens the sense of smell. Sulfur
dioxide is an important atmospheric pollutant.
13. Sources of Sulfur
Sulfur is found in meteorites and native in proximity to hot
springs and volcanoes. It is found in many minerals, including
galena, iron pyrite, sphalerite, stibnite, cinnabar, Epsom salts,
gypsum, celestite, and barite.
Sulfur also occurs in petroleum crude oil and natural gas. The
Frasch process may be used to obtain sulfur commercially. In this
process, heated water is forced into wells sunk into salt domes in
order to melt the sulfur. The water is then brought to the surface.
14. Abundances of Sulfur
% in Universe 0.05%
% in Sun 0.04%
% in Meteorites 4%
% in Earth's Crust 0.042%
% in Oceans 0.093%
% in Humans 0.2%
15. Sulfur and the Human Body
One of the most important uses of sulfur relates to the human
body. It is not native to the body, but it is required.
The element is available in food and dietary supplementation.
Sulfur is integral to the human body.
The element comprises 0.25% of the body. It is integral not just
for humans but all living cells. With sufficient amounts, various
disorders can be prevented.
16. Sulfur Trivia
Pure sulfur has no smell. The strong smell associated with sulfur
should actually be attributed to compounds of sulfur.
Brimstone is an ancient name for sulfur that means "burning
stone".
Molten sulfur is red.
Sulfur burns with a blue flame in a flame test.
17. Sulfur Trivia
Sulfur is the seventeenth most common element in the Earth's
crust.
Sulfur is the eighth most common element in the human body.
Sulfur is the sixth most common element in seawater.
Gunpowder contains sulfur, carbon and saltpeter.
