What Is Sulfur: Know Its Uses, Chemical Properties, Interesting Facts And FAQ’s!

What Is Sulfur: Know Its Uses, Chemical Properties, Interesting Facts And FAQs: Sulfur is a non-metal and is obtained as a byproduct after the production of natural gas. Keep reading the article to learn about its uses, chemical properties and interesting facts. 

Jul 5, 2024, 12:49 IST
What Is Sulfur: Know Its Uses, Chemical Properties, Interesting Facts And FAQ’s!
What Is Sulfur: Know Its Uses, Chemical Properties, Interesting Facts And FAQ’s!

What Is Sulfur? Know Its Uses, Chemical Properties, Interesting Facts And FAQs: Sulfur is a chemical element with the symbol S and atomic number 16. It is a bright, yellow crystalline solid at room temperature. It can be found in many minerals and is an essential nutrient for plants and animals.

Sulfur has a wide variety of uses. It can be the production of sulfuric acid, the most important chemical chemical. In the human body, sulfur is an essential component of enzymes and proteins. The symbol for sulfur is S. 

Chemical Properties Of Sulfur

Property

Description

State at room temperature

Solid

Colour

Bright yellow

Odor

Odorless (pure sulfur), rotten egg smell (impure sulfur)

Reactivity

Moderately reactive

Electronegativity

2.58 (Pauling scale)

Oxidation states

-2, +2, +4, +6 (most common -2 and +6)

Common bonding

Forms covalent and ionic bonds

Solubility

Insoluble in water, soluble in organic solvents like carbon disulfide

Reactions

* Reacts with most metals to form sulfides

Uses Of Sulfur

  • Sulfuric Acid Production: The biggest consumer of sulfur is the production of sulfuric acid. It is a crucial industrial chemical with applications in fertilisers, pigments and detergents. 
  • Rubber Vulcanisation: Sulfur plays an important role in improving the elasticity of rubber through a process called vulcanisation. 
  • Fertilisers: Various sulfur compounds can be used in fertilisers to provide essential nutrients. 
  • Food and beverages: Certain sulfides can be used as preservatives in some food items as well. 
  • Medicine: Well, sulfur can also be used in the industry of medicine to treat some skin conditions like acne. 

Some Interesting Facts To Know About Sulfur

  • Cosmic Abundance: Sulfur is the 10th most abundant element in the entire universe. 
  • Volcanic Connection: Sulfur is often connected with volcanic activity as volcanoes release sulfur dioxide gas that might contribute to acid rain. 
  • 3% Of Earth’s surface: Sulfur makes up almost 3% of the earth’s surface. 
  • Occurs in many compounds: Sulfur can occur in many allotropes, both crystalline and amorphous.
  • Automotive use: Sulfuric acid is the number one bulk chemical and is needed for automotive use in large quantities. 
Akshita Jolly
Akshita Jolly

Content Writer

Akshita Jolly is a multimedia professional specialising in education, entertainment, fashion, health, and lifestyle news. Holding a degree in Journalism and Mass Communication, she has contributed to renowned media organisations, including the Press Trust of India. She currently serves as Executive – Editorial at Jagran New Media, where she writes, edits, and manages content for the School and News sections of the Jagran Josh (English) portal. She also creates engaging and informative videos for the Jagran Josh YouTube platform, helping to make educational content more accessible and dynamic. Her work has contributed to reaching over 10 million monthly users, reflecting both the impact and scale of her content. For inquiries, she can be reached at akshitajolly@jagrannewmedia.com.
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FAQs

  • Can sulfur be used on the skin?
    +
    Sulfur seems to have antibacterial effects against the bacteria that cause acne.
  • What are the 3 common uses of sulfur?
    +
    It is used for making car batteries, water processing, and mineral extraction.

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