Sulfur (S) - Element 16 | Properties & Electron Configuration
What is Sulfur?
Sulfur (S) is element 16, a nonmetal in period 3, group 16. Its electron configuration is 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁴.
| Atomic Number | 16 |
| Symbol | S |
| Atomic Mass | 32.06 u |
| Category | Nonmetal |
| Period | 3 |
| Group | 16 |
| Block | p |
| Electron Configuration | 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁴ |
| Short Config | [Ne] 3s² 3p⁴ |
| Electronegativity | 2.58 |
| Atomic Radius | 100 pm |
| Ionization Energy | 1000 kJ/mol |
| Electron Affinity | 200 kJ/mol |
| Phase (STP) | Solid |
Electron Configuration
The full electron configuration of Sulfur is 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁴. In noble gas shorthand, this is written as [Ne] 3s² 3p⁴.
Sulfur is a p-block element in group 16, period 3.
Periodic Trends
Electronegativity: Sulfur has a Pauling electronegativity of 2.58. Within group 16, electronegativity generally decreases down the group.
Atomic Radius: 100 pm. Across period 3, atomic radius generally decreases left to right as nuclear charge increases.
Ionization Energy: 1000 kJ/mol. Ionization energy generally increases across a period and decreases down a group.
View all 118 elements with trend overlays for electronegativity, atomic radius, ionization energy, and electron affinity.
Explore Sulfur on the Interactive Periodic TableRelated Topics
Oxygen (O)
Properties of Oxygen - same group as Sulfur
Selenium (Se)
Properties of Selenium - same group as Sulfur
Tellurium (Te)
Properties of Tellurium - same group as Sulfur
Sodium (Na)
Properties of Sodium - same period as Sulfur
Magnesium (Mg)
Properties of Magnesium - same period as Sulfur
Aluminum (Al)
Properties of Aluminum - same period as Sulfur