Sulfur (S) – element 16
Sulfur is a chemical element with the symbol S and atomic number 16. It is a reactive nonmetal in group 16 (chalcogens), period 3 of the periodic table (p-block), and is a solid at room temperature.
Sulfur (S) has atomic number 16, atomic mass 32.06 u and electron configuration [Ne] 3s2 3p4.
Sulfur facts
| Symbol | S |
|---|---|
| Atomic number | 16 |
| Atomic mass | 32.06 u (g/mol) |
| Category | reactive nonmetal |
| Group | group 16 (chalcogens) |
| Period | 3 |
| Block | p-block |
| Phase at 20 °C | Solid |
| Electron configuration | 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p4 |
| Noble-gas notation | [Ne] 3s2 3p4 |
| Electrons per shell | 2, 8, 6 |
| Valence electrons | 6 |
Bohr model and shells
Sulfur has 16 electrons in 3 shells: 2, 8, 6. Full configuration and noble-gas notation are in the table; work out any element or ion with the electron configuration calculator.
Physical and atomic properties
| Melting point | 388.36 K (115.2 °C) |
|---|---|
| Boiling point | 717.8 K (444.6 °C) |
| Density | 2.07 g/cm³ |
| Electronegativity (Pauling) | 2.58 |
| Electron affinity | 200.41 kJ/mol |
| Ionization energies | 999.6, 2252, 3357 kJ/mol (1st, 2nd, 3rd) |
| Molar heat capacity | 22.75 J/(mol·K) |
| Discovered by | Ancient china |
Use the atomic mass in the molar mass calculator for any formula containing S.
Position in the periodic table
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Molecules with sulfur
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Frequently asked questions
What is the atomic mass of sulfur?
The atomic mass of sulfur is 32.06 u, so one mole of sulfur atoms weighs 32.06 g.
What is the electron configuration of sulfur?
Sulfur has 16 electrons: 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁴, or [Ne] 3s² 3p⁴ in noble-gas notation. Electrons per shell: 2, 8, 6.
How many valence electrons does sulfur have?
Sulfur has 6 valence electrons (group 16).
Is sulfur a metal?
No. Sulfur is a nonmetal (reactive nonmetal).
Where is sulfur on the periodic table?
Sulfur is in group 16 (chalcogens), period 3, in the p-block.
Data: Periodic-Table-JSON (CC BY-SA 3.0); standard atomic weights from IUPAC (abridged). Values in brackets are the mass number of the longest-lived isotope.