sulfide

Everyday

1. (science) A sulfide is a chemical compound made of sulfur joined with another element, often a metal, such as iron sulfide or hydrogen sulfide. tree →
2. Many sulfides are minerals and metal ores, such as pyrite (fool's gold), which is iron sulfide. tree →

In the lessons

In chemistry and science lessons sulfides appear when iron and sulfur are heated together to make iron sulfide (a compound, not a mixture: a magnet no longer separates them). Hydrogen sulfide is the gas that smells of rotten eggs, made by rotting things and volcanoes, and it is poisonous in large amounts. Phrases: "iron sulfide", "hydrogen sulfide", "sulfide ore".

Examples

• When we heated iron and sulfur, we made iron sulfide. tree →
• Fool's gold is iron sulfide, not real gold. tree →
• Hydrogen sulfide smells of rotten eggs. tree →
• Copper is often mined from sulfide ores. tree →
• Black smokers on the sea floor pour out sulfides. tree →
• Iron sulfide is a compound, so a magnet cannot pull the iron out. tree →
• The bad smell near the swamp came from sulfides. tree →

Note

US and international science spelling: sulfide, sulfur; traditional UK spelling: sulphide, sulphur; both are correct. Do not confuse with sulfate (sulfur plus oxygen and another element).