sulfur

Everyday

1. (science) Sulfur is a chemical element, a yellow non-metal with the symbol S and atomic number 16. tree →
2. When it burns or forms some compounds, it makes a smell like rotten eggs. tree →

In the lessons

In science lessons, sulfur is found near volcanoes and hot springs as yellow crystals; it is used to make sulfuric acid, matches, rubber and fertilisers. In the Bible, "fire and brimstone" — brimstone is an old word for sulfur — is used for God's punishment. The rotten-egg smell is actually from a sulfur compound, hydrogen sulfide.

Examples

• Sulfur is a bright yellow element. tree →
• Yellow sulfur crystals form around volcanoes. tree →
• The hot spring smelt of sulfur, like rotten eggs. tree →
• Sulfur's chemical symbol is S. tree →
• Matches contain sulfur. tree →
• (Bible) "Brimstone" is an old name for sulfur. tree →
• Our bodies need a little sulfur, found in eggs and onions. tree →

Note

Spelling: "sulfur" is the scientific standard (IUPAC) and the US spelling; "sulphur" is the traditional British, Irish, Australian and NZ spelling, still common. Both are correct. Pure sulfur does not smell much; its compounds do.