Sulfur (S), also spelled sulphur, nonmetallic chemical element belonging to
the oxygen group (Group 16 [VIa] of the periodic table), one of the most
reactive of the elements. Pure sulfur is a tasteless, odourless, brittle
solid that is pale yellow in colour, a poor conductor of electricity, and
insoluble in water. It reacts with all metals except gold and platinum, forming
sulfides; it also forms compounds with several nonmetallic elements. Millions
of tons of sulfur are produced each year, mostly for the manufacture of sulfuric
acid, which is widely used in industry.