Page 170 - The Periodic Table Book
P. 170

16
              S     Sulfur

                                                                                                  State: Solid
                                                                                   16    16    16 Discovery: Prehistoric

                                                These yellow sulfur crystals
       The Oxygen Group  Natural                often attach to volcanic mud.  Liquid sulfur    called strontium sulfate.
             Forms
                                                                                                    This grey-blue

                                                                                                    crystal contains
                                                                                                   a sulfur compound
                 sulfur





                                                                         Hot liquid sulfur is
                                                                         pumped up from an
                                                                          underground mine.











                                                                                 Celestine


                                                                                  Soft, brittle granules
                                                                                         Laboratory sample
                                                                          Skunks release a
                                                                           foul spray that
                                                                            contains three
                                                                            kinds of sulfur
                                                                             compounds.    of pure sulfur








                                                                                                Cut onions release
                                                Hydrogen sulfide   Skunk                        sulfur compounds that
                                                bubbles form in                                 make our eyes water.
                                                volcanic mud.                                                Onions





                                                 Mud
                                               volcano





           Known since ancient times, sulfur is one of         a blood-red liquid. In some religions, brimstone
           the few non-metals that can be found pure           is thought to be the fuel that burns in the
           in nature. This yellow, crystalline element is      underworld. Pure sulfur is extracted from
           found in large amounts near volcanic craters.       underground deposits using hot water. The hot
           Another name for sulfur is “brimstone”, which       liquid sulfur is then pumped to the surface.
    168    refers to the way its crystals burn, melting into   This element is a common ingredient in many





   168-169_Sulfur.indd   168                                                                                    02/12/16   10:01 pm
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