Sulfur
Sulfur is a chemical element with the symbol S and atomic number 16. It has a standard atomic weight of 32.06, sits in period 3 and group 16, and is classified as a reactive nonmetal.
Properties
| Symbol | S |
|---|---|
| Atomic number | 16 |
| Standard atomic weight | 32.06 |
| Category | Reactive nonmetal |
| Group | 16 |
| Period | 3 |
| Electron configuration | [Ne] 3s2 3p4 |
| Outer-shell electrons | 6 |
The figure of 32.06 is a conventional value, because IUPAC publishes an interval for this element rather than a single weight. For elements like this one the fourth digit carries real uncertainty, because the isotopic composition varies measurably between natural sources — so quoting eight digits would overstate what is known.
Compounds containing sulfur
55 of the compounds in this reference contain S, listed by the fraction of their mass it makes up.
| Compound | Formula | Atoms | % by mass |
|---|---|---|---|
| sulfur | S | 1 | 100.0% |
| hydrogen sulfide | H2S | 1 | 94.1% |
| carbon disulfide | CS2 | 2 | 84.2% |
| pyrite | FeS2 | 2 | 53.4% |
| sulfur dioxide | O2S | 1 | 50.0% |
| dimethyl sulfoxide | C2H6OS | 1 | 41.0% |
| sodium thiosulfate | Na2O3S2 | 2 | 40.6% |
| sulfur trioxide | O3S | 1 | 40.0% |
| thiophene | C4H4S | 1 | 38.1% |
| sulfuric acid | H2O4S | 1 | 32.7% |
| aluminium sulfate | Al2O12S3 | 3 | 28.1% |
| magnesium sulfate | MgO4S | 1 | 26.6% |
| cysteine | C3H7NO2S | 1 | 26.5% |
| taurine | C2H7NO3S | 1 | 25.6% |
| sodium sulfite | Na2O3S | 1 | 25.4% |
| ammonium sulfate | H8N2O4S | 1 | 24.3% |
| calcium sulfate | CaO4S | 1 | 23.6% |
| sodium sulfate | Na2O4S | 1 | 22.6% |
| cadmium sulfide | CdS | 1 | 22.2% |
| sulfur hexafluoride | F6S | 1 | 22.0% |
| hydrochlorothiazide | C7H8ClN3O4S2 | 2 | 21.5% |
| methionine | C5H11NO2S | 1 | 21.5% |
| iron sulfate | FeO4S | 1 | 21.1% |
| nickel sulfate | NiO4S | 1 | 20.7% |
| copper sulfate | CuO4S | 1 | 20.1% |
Showing the 25 with the highest S content, of 55.
Calculate with sulfur
- Molar mass of any formula containing it
- Electron configuration, including ions
- Effective nuclear charge by Slater's rules
- Average atomic mass from isotope abundances
Group 16
Atomic weights are the IUPAC 2021 standard values, abridged to the conventional five significant figures. Group, period, category and electron configuration are derived from the atomic number rather than stored, so they cannot drift out of step with it.