 Discovery Information |
| Who: Known to the ancients. |
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| Name Origin |
| Latin: sulfur (brimstone). |
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| Sources |
| Found in pure form (near hot springs and in volcanic regions) and in ores like cinnabar, galena, alunite, barite, sphalerite and stibnite. |
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| Uses |
| Used in matches, gunpowder, detergents, fireworks, batteries, fungicides, vulcanization of rubber, medicines, permanent wave lotion and pesticides. Its most important use is probably that of sulfuric acid (H2SO4). Sulfites are used to bleach paper and as a preservative in wine and dried fruit. Sodium or ammonium thiosulfate are used as photographic fixing agents. Magnesium sulfate, better known as Epsom salts, can be used as a laxative, a bath additive, an exfoliant, or a magnesium supplement for plants. |
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| Notes |
| The distinctive colours of Jupiter's volcanic moon, Io, are from various forms of molten, solid and gaseous sulfur. Sulfur has also been found in many types of meteorite. |
| Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S), is well known for its smell of rotten eggs! |
