Element 16 · Reactive nonmetal
Sulfur (S) — Element 16
Sanskrit sulvere
Sulfur (S) is a reactive nonmetal in Period 3, Group 16 of the periodic table with atomic number 16, standard atomic weight 32.06 u, and ground-state electron configuration [Ne] 3s² 3p⁴. At standard temperature and pressure it is classified as a solid with 6 valence electrons and common oxidation states -2, +4, +6.
Sulfuric acid, vulcanized rubber
What are the atomic properties and physical constants of Sulfur?
Reference constants compiled from IUPAC standard atomic weights, the NIST Atomic Spectra Database, and the CRC Handbook.
- Atomic number (Z)
- 16
- Standard atomic mass
- 32.06 u
- Chemical family
- Reactive nonmetal
- Ground-state configuration
- [Ne] 3s² 3p⁴
- Electrons per shell
- 2, 8, 6
- Valence electrons
- 6
- Common ion charges / oxidation states
- -2, +4, +6
- Phase at STP
- Solid
- Pauling electronegativity
- 2.58 Pauling
- First ionization energy
- 1,000 kJ/mol
- Atomic radius
- 88 pm
- Melting point
- 115 °C
- Boiling point
- 445 °C
- Discovery year
- Ancient
- Table coordinate
- Period 3, Group 16
- Radioactivity
- Has stable isotope(s)
How are electrons arranged across Sulfur’s shells?
A neutral Sulfur atom contains 16 electrons distributed across 3 occupied principal energy shells ([Ne] 3s² 3p⁴). The table below compares Sulfur’s shell occupancy against each shell’s theoretical 2n² capacity.
| Principal Shell (n) | Spectroscopic Letter | Electrons in S | Max Shell Capacity (2n²) |
|---|---|---|---|
| n = 1 | K | 2 e⁻ | 2 e⁻ |
| n = 2 | L | 8 e⁻ | 8 e⁻ |
| n = 3 | M | 6 e⁻ | 18 e⁻ |
Frequently Asked Questions about Sulfur (S)
What is the atomic mass and atomic number of Sulfur (S)?
Sulfur (S) has atomic number Z = 16 (16 protons in its nucleus) and an IUPAC standard atomic weight of 32.06 u. It sits in Period 3, Group 16 and is classified as a reactive nonmetal.
What is the ground-state electron configuration of Sulfur?
The neutral ground-state electron configuration of Sulfur (Z = 16) is [Ne] 3s² 3p⁴. Across its 3 occupied principal shells (n = 1 to n = 3), the electrons per shell are 2, 8, 6, with 6 valence electrons participating in bonding.
What are the common ion charges and electronegativity of Sulfur?
Sulfur commonly forms -2, +4, +6 oxidation states or ion charges in compounds. Its Pauling electronegativity is 2.58 and its first ionization energy is 1,000 kJ/mol.
When was Sulfur discovered and what is it used for?
Sulfur was discovered in Ancient (Sanskrit sulvere). Sulfuric acid, vulcanized rubber
How does Sulfur compare to neighboring elements?
Other reactive nonmetal elements: