What Is Sulfur?
Sulfur is a nonmetallic chemical element with an atomic number of 16 and is a solid at ambient temperatures. Historically called brimstone, is estimated to be the tenth (10th) most abundant element in the universe and the fifth (5th) most abundant element on earth. The earth’s crust contains approximately 0.03 to 0.1% sulfur by weight.
Pure sulfur is typically an amorphic solid with an opaque pale yellow color but can form translucent crystals under certain conditions. At temperatures above its melting point (240°F) it forms a transparent red liquid similar to the color of red wine.
Pure sulfur is odorless. The “rotten egg” smell commonly associated with sulfur forms from organic sulfur compounds or hydrogen sulfide which are common to decaying organic matter. Because of this property sulfur mercaptans are added to natural gas and propane to help identify gas leaks.