Sulphur

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Sulphur

Sulphur (pronounced: /ˈsʌlfər/), also known as sulfur in American English, is a chemical element with the symbol S and atomic number 16. It is abundant, multivalent, and nonmetallic.

Etymology

The term "sulphur" originates from the Latin word "sulphurium". The modern name "sulfur" was adopted in 1787 by Antoine Lavoisier, a French chemist, who helped to establish the metric system and the concept of chemical elements.

Properties and Uses

Sulphur is a bright yellow crystalline solid at room temperature. It is an essential element for all life and is widely used in biochemical processes. In metabolic reactions, sulphur compounds serve as both fuels and respiratory (oxygen-replacing) materials for simple organisms. Sulphur in organic form is present in the vitamins biotin and thiamine, the latter being named for the Greek word for sulphur. Sulphur is an important part of many enzymes and in antioxidant molecules like glutathione and thioredoxin.

Industrially, sulphur is used in the manufacture of sulphuric acid, one of the most important chemicals worldwide. It is also a key component in matches, insecticides and fungicides.

Related Terms

  • Sulphur Cycle: The series of processes by which sulphur moves to and from minerals (including the waterways) and living systems.
  • Sulphur Dioxide: A toxic gas with a burnt match smell, produced by volcanoes and in various industrial processes.
  • Sulphuric Acid: A strong acid produced in large quantities for use in a variety of industrial processes.

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