Sulfur
By: Faith Faircloth
History- Sulfur is the tenth most abundant element in the universe. The element Sulfur went all the way back to Bible times, but it was called brimstone then. Sulfur is used to fumigate buildings, which people started doing thousands of years ago. Particularly zealous priests were said to preach “fire and brimstone” sermons to instill fear of eternal damnation in the hearts of unrepentant sinners. In various ways Sulfur has been proved deadly. It is believed by historians to have been component of “Greek fire,” a naval weapon used over centuries ago by the Byzantine Empire.
Name, Symbol, Atomic Number, Atomic Mass- Sulfur can be found on the periodic table, represented by a capital S. Its atomic number is 16 and its atomic weight is 32.065. Sulfur will boil at the tempter of 444.60°C. Sulfur is a solid at room temperature and its elements classification is non-metal. At room temperature sulfur is non-reactive. Sulfur is pale yellow at room temperature.
Abundance- Sulfur is usually found in places on or near hot springs and in volcanic regions. It is also found in nature as iron, sulfide, lead sulfide, calcium sulfate, magnesium sulfate, and lots of other minerals. Sulfur is recovered from underground deposits using the Frasch Process. That’s when heated water and steam are pumped underground, which melt the sulfur, making it able to be pumped to the surface.
Compounds-Sulfur reacts with oxygen to create a blue flame. Sulfur reacts with sulfite ions to create thiosulfate. . Sulfur is also used in medication. It is sometimes used to cure Bronchitis.
Use- The main job of Sulfur is to create sulfuric acid. Sulfuric acid is the world’s top bulk chemical, need in big sizes for acid batteries for the use of automobiles. In the year 808 sulfur was possibly used in the first recipe of gunpowder, containing saltpeter, sulfur and carbon. It is also believed to be a part of “Greek Fire” which is a weapon, kind of like today’s flamethrower, that the Byzantine Empire used. When sulfur is burned, it makes sulfur dioxide, which is a poisonous gas. Once, in New York, sulfur dioxide was used to fumigate buildings with contagious diseases. In the 1800s sulfuric acid became the most effective way to determine a country’s wealth. It was so popular that countries would go to war over the sulfuric acid.
Unique Facts-
*Sulfur makes up 3% of the earths mass.
*Penicillin is a natural, sulfur-based antibiotic.
*Most health benefits from onions and garlic
come from sulfur compounds.
Works Cited- http://www.chemicool.com/elements/sulfur.html
http://www.livescience.com/28939-sulfur.html
Name, Symbol, Atomic Number, Atomic Mass- Sulfur can be found on the periodic table, represented by a capital S. Its atomic number is 16 and its atomic weight is 32.065. Sulfur will boil at the tempter of 444.60°C. Sulfur is a solid at room temperature and its elements classification is non-metal. At room temperature sulfur is non-reactive. Sulfur is pale yellow at room temperature.
Abundance- Sulfur is usually found in places on or near hot springs and in volcanic regions. It is also found in nature as iron, sulfide, lead sulfide, calcium sulfate, magnesium sulfate, and lots of other minerals. Sulfur is recovered from underground deposits using the Frasch Process. That’s when heated water and steam are pumped underground, which melt the sulfur, making it able to be pumped to the surface.
Compounds-Sulfur reacts with oxygen to create a blue flame. Sulfur reacts with sulfite ions to create thiosulfate. . Sulfur is also used in medication. It is sometimes used to cure Bronchitis.
Use- The main job of Sulfur is to create sulfuric acid. Sulfuric acid is the world’s top bulk chemical, need in big sizes for acid batteries for the use of automobiles. In the year 808 sulfur was possibly used in the first recipe of gunpowder, containing saltpeter, sulfur and carbon. It is also believed to be a part of “Greek Fire” which is a weapon, kind of like today’s flamethrower, that the Byzantine Empire used. When sulfur is burned, it makes sulfur dioxide, which is a poisonous gas. Once, in New York, sulfur dioxide was used to fumigate buildings with contagious diseases. In the 1800s sulfuric acid became the most effective way to determine a country’s wealth. It was so popular that countries would go to war over the sulfuric acid.
Unique Facts-
*Sulfur makes up 3% of the earths mass.
*Penicillin is a natural, sulfur-based antibiotic.
*Most health benefits from onions and garlic
come from sulfur compounds.
Works Cited- http://www.chemicool.com/elements/sulfur.html
http://www.livescience.com/28939-sulfur.html
