Is Sulphur a Metal, Metalloid, or Nonmetal

Q. Is sulphur a metal, metalloid, or nonmetal? What is its family name?

Metals are those elements that form a positive ion by losing electrons within a chemical reaction. In contrast, if the elements gain an electron and form anions, they are termed Non- Metals. Metalloids are those elements that behave like both Metals and Non- Metals under specific conditions.

Being represented by the symbol ‘S’, Sulphur is a Non-Metallic element with an atomic number being 16. It is abundant and Multivalent. Its molecular form with chemical formula under normal circumstances is S8. Sulphur belongs to a group of Oxygen family known as Chalcogens. Copper oxides, Sulphide, Selenide and Telurids, are the main sources from which the elements of the oxygen family are extracted; hence these elements came to be known as Chalcogens. The word chalcogen is derived from the Greek word chalkos which means copper ore former.

Some factors that make Sulphur a Non-Metal, are:- 

-Sulphur has no lustre on its surface; Non- Lustrous

– Sulphur doesn’t produce any ringing sound; Non – Sonorous

– Sulphur is considered a bad conductor of electricity.

– As compared to metals, It has a very Low density.

– Being a bad conductor of electricity, the ratio of electronegativity is high in sulphur compared to metals.

– Sulphur forms acidic oxides 

Apart from the above-given characteristics of Sulphur, it is considered tasteless, without any odour and has a pale yellow colour. It doesn’t dissolve in water. Except for Gold and Platinum, which form Sulphides while reacted with, Sulphur can react with all other metals.

When reacted with non-metallic elements, it usually forms compounds. Sulphur is mostly used for industrial purposes, and hence it is produced in large quantities throughout the year.