1632.06SSulfur
Sulfur (S) — element 16reactive nonmetal · group 16, period 3
Sulfur is a chemical element with the symbol S and atomic number 16. It is a reactive nonmetal in group 16, period 3 of the periodic table (the p-block), with a standard atomic mass of 32.06 u. At room temperature (25 °C) sulfur is a solid. It is also spelled sulphur.
💡 Known for: A yellow nonmetal known since antiquity as brimstone; used to make sulfuric acid and to vulcanise rubber.
# Sulfur properties
| Symbol | S |
|---|---|
| Atomic number | 16 |
| Atomic mass | 32.06 u |
| Category | reactive nonmetal |
| Group | 16 |
| Period | 3 |
| Block | p-block |
| Electron configuration | [Ne] 3s² 3p⁴ |
| Full configuration | 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁴ |
| Electrons per shell | 2, 8, 6 |
| Protons / electrons | 16 / 16 |
| State at 25 °C | solid |
| Melting point | 388.36 K (115.2 °C, 239.4 °F) |
| Boiling point | 717.87 K (444.7 °C, 832.5 °F) |
| Density | 2.067 g/cm³ |
| Electronegativity (Pauling) | 2.58 |
| First ionization energy | 10.36 eV |
| Atomic radius | 88 pm |
| Discovered | known since ancient times |
# Electron configuration of sulfur
The electron configuration of sulfur is [Ne] 3s² 3p⁴, written out in full as 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁴. Its 16 electrons fill 3 shells as 2, 8, 6, so the outermost shell holds 6 electrons. As a group 16 element, sulfur has 6 valence electrons.
# Related elements
PPhosphorusprevious elementClChlorinenext elementOOxygengroup 16SeSeleniumgroup 16TeTelluriumgroup 16PoPoloniumgroup 16LvLivermoriumgroup 16HHydrogenreactive nonmetalCCarbonreactive nonmetalNNitrogenreactive nonmetal
# Sulfur FAQ
What is the atomic number of sulfur?
The atomic number of sulfur is 16: every sulfur atom has 16 protons in its nucleus. Its symbol is S.
What is the atomic mass of sulfur?
The standard atomic mass of sulfur is 32.06 u.
What is the electron configuration of sulfur?
Sulfur's electron configuration is [Ne] 3s² 3p⁴ (1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁴), with 2, 8, 6 electrons per shell.
Is sulfur a metal?
No. Sulfur is a reactive nonmetal, a nonmetal.
What is the melting point of sulfur?
Sulfur melts at 388.36 K (115.2 °C, 239.4 °F) and boils at 717.87 K (444.7 °C, 832.5 °F).
What is sulfur used for / known for?
A yellow nonmetal known since antiquity as brimstone; used to make sulfuric acid and to vulcanise rubber.