Element 16

Sulfur (S)

Reactive nonmetal · Period 3 · Group 16 · p-block

Sulfur (S) is element 16 of the periodic table, a reactive nonmetal in period 3, group 16 (p-block) with an atomic mass of 32.06 and is a solid at standard conditions.

At a glance

Atomic number
16
Symbol
S
Atomic mass
32.06 u
Category
Reactive nonmetals
Period
3
Group
16
Block
p-block
Phase at STP
solid

Electron structure

Electron configuration
1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p4
Shorthand configuration
[Ne] 3s2 3p4
Electrons per shell
2, 8, 6
Oxidation states
-2, -1, +1, +2, +3, +4, +5, +6

Physical properties

Melting point
388.36 K
Boiling point
717.87 K
Density
2.067 g/cm3
Phase
solid

Atomic properties

Electronegativity (Pauling)
2.58
Atomic radius
88 pm
Covalent radius
105 pm
Van der Waals radius
180 pm
First ionization energy
1000 kJ/mol
Electron affinity
200 kJ/mol

Notable isotopes

IsotopeMassAbundanceStability
S-3231.9720794.99%Stable

Common uses

  • Sulfuric acid
  • Fertilizers
  • Rubber vulcanization
  • Gunpowder

Discovery

Discovered by
Known since antiquity
Country
Unknown

Keep exploring