Return
to the Main CHEMystery Page.
Return
to the Periodic Table of the Elements
Element 16 - Sulfur (S)
From
sulphur
, or brimstone--its Biblical name; recognized since ancient times. Used in all branches of modern industry, it turns up, among other places, in matches, insecticides, and rubber tires. Nearly 200 pounds of sulfuric acid per capita are produced in the U.S. each year.
Properties
Atomic Number
:
16
Atomic Weight
:
32.066
Electron Configuration
(at ground state):
1s
2
2s
2
2p
6
3s
2
3p
4
Oxidation States
(Bold most stable):
-2, +2, +4,
+6
Boiling Point
(K):
717.82
Melting Point (K):
392.2
Density
(at 300K -- g/cm
3
):
2.07
Atomic Volume (at 300K -- cm
3
/mol)
15.50
Number of stable
isotopes
:
4
Mass Number
(Bold naturally occurring) --
Half-Life
--
Disintigration Type
:
35 -- 87.2 days --
beta particle
(
electron
) emission
Covalent Radius (Å):
1.02
Atomic Radius (Å):
1.27
First
Ionization Potential
(V):
10.360
Electronegativity
(Pauling's):
2.58
Specific Heat
Capacity (at 300K -- J g
-1
K
-1
):
0.710
Heat of Vaporization (kJ/mol):
10
Heat of Fusion (kJ/mol):
1.73
Electrical Conductivity (at 293K for polycrystalline material -- 10
6
-1
cm
-1
):
5 x 10
-16
Thermal Conductivity (at 300K -- W m
-1
K
-1
):
0.269
Crystal Structure:
Orthorhombic
Acid
-
Base
Properties:
Very acidic