LEAH DEMIRJIAN

Sulfur

The Basics

bright yellowbright yellow

non-metallicnon-metallic

very low conductivityvery low conductivity

element; atomic number 16element; atomic number 16

burning sulfur= SO2burning sulfur= SO2easily distinguishableeasily distinguishable

- the tenth most

abundant mineral

in the universe

The Source

volcanoes

salt domes hot springs

Sulfur can be found…

but the best specimens are found in Italy.

Uses of Sulfur

m a t c h e s

anti- bacterial

kills parasites

black gunpowder

fireworks

insecticide/fungicide

vulcanization

Physical Properties and Characteristics

very soft, lightweight, and brittle

hardness of 1.5-2.5

produces a white streak

feels greasy when rubbed

smells like matches, & emits pungent odor when burned

native sulfur

Heated Sulfur

melts at 108 degrees celsius

odor intensifies when heated

SO2, or burnt sulfur, smells like rotten eggs

sulfur burns with a blue flame

often cracks in contact with heat

dissolves when placed in heated water

latin sulphurium= “burning stone”

video

Sulfuric Acid

-very harmful to skin, causes severe burns-used in fertilizer

SO2   +   (O)       SO3

SO3   +   H2O      H2SO4

Concluding Notes

-there are no known substitutions for sulfur

-no research being done due to its abundance

- when mentioned, sulfur almost always draws a disgusted reaction, but it is prominent in every day products and used greatly.

End

Bibliography

http://www.minerals.net/mineral/elements/sulfur/sulfur.htm

http://www.mii.org/Minerals/photosul.html

http://education.jlab.org/itselemental/ele016.html

http://mooni.fccj.org/~ethall/h2so4/h2so4.htm