Mendeleev
Periodic table · chemistry · physics
Element story

Sulfur

Atomic number 16 means that every Sulfur nucleus contains 16 protons. That proton count is the element's identity: change it and you no longer have Sulfur.

Start with the nucleus

Atomic number 16 means that every Sulfur nucleus contains 16 protons. That proton count is the element's identity: change it and you no longer have Sulfur.

Sulfur (S) is chemical element 16. It belongs to the nonmetals, and its reference state at room temperature is a solid. Those basic facts are a useful starting point for its chemistry and applications.

In practice, it turns up most often in fertiliser production, sulfuric acid and rubber vulcanisation.

See the atom

Conceptual visual: electron shells are a learning aid, not a literal picture of quantum orbitals.

What this number means

Atomic number 16 means that every Sulfur nucleus contains 16 protons. That proton count is the element's identity: change it and you no longer have Sulfur.

Keep exploring

→ Sulfur · Atomic structure · Periodic trends

16SSulfur
Sulfur · S · Z = 16

Sulfur (S) is chemical element 16. It belongs to the nonmetals, and its reference state at room temperature is a solid. Those basic facts are a useful starting point for its chemistry and applications.

Understanding the element

Sulfur (S) is chemical element 16. It belongs to the nonmetals, and its reference state at room temperature is a solid. Those basic facts are a useful starting point for its chemistry and applications.

Where do we encounter it?

In practice, it turns up most often in fertiliser production, sulfuric acid and rubber vulcanisation.

What its position in the table tells us

Sulfur sits in period 3, group 16 and the P block. That location is useful because neighbouring elements often share trends in valence electrons, oxidation states and bonding behaviour.