Video Transcript
What is the difference between a sulfur
atom and a sulfur molecule? A) Sulfur atoms are reactive, while
sulfur molecules are not. B) Sulfur atoms consist of multiple
sulfur molecules bonded together. C) A sulfur molecule consists of multiple
sulfur atoms bonded together. Or D) sulfur atoms can be divided into
smaller units, while sulfur molecules cannot.
The first thing we need to identify is
that sulfur is a chemical element. As with all elements, we can look up
sulfur on the periodic table. We find sulfur in group 16, otherwise
known as group six, just below oxygen. If we zoom in a little closer, we can see
a little bit more information about the element sulfur. The number 16 in the box for sulfur is
the atomic number of sulfur. That number tells us that if we have a
sulfur atom, it will contain 16 protons in its nucleus.
Now, a molecule is when we have two or
more atoms, it doesn’t matter what type, bonded together covalently. So, a sulfur molecule is simply a
molecule that contains only sulfur atoms bonded together, like S₂ or S₈. sulfur, unlike
oxygen, is a solid at room temperature and generally forms eight-membered rings. Now that we’ve recapped, let’s have a
look at our statements.
The first statement suggests that sulfur
atoms are reactive while sulfur molecules are not. Well, the truth is that the normal form
for sulfur is the S₈ molecule. You’ll see it as a vibrant yellow
powder. If you set light to sulfur, it will react
with the oxygen in the air producing a beautiful blue flame and sulfur dioxide gas. sulfur
atoms, if we had them free, would do the same. So, the first statement is false and an
incorrect answer.
The second statement is that sulfur atoms
consist of multiple sulfur molecules bonded together. The truth is, it’s the other way around.
sulfur molecules contain sulfur atoms. We see things the correct way round in
the third statement. A sulfur molecule consists of multiple
sulfur atoms bonded together. This statement correctly describes the
difference between a sulfur atom and a sulfur molecule. But just in case, let’s check the last
statement.
The first part of this statement is that
sulfur atoms can be divided into smaller units. This is, of course, true. Electrons can be taken off or added to
sulfur atoms, forming sulfur ions. And if we try really hard, we can add or
remove protons and neutrons from the nucleus. Although, in general, we do think about
the atom as being fairly fundamental because splitting the atom is quite difficult and
releases tremendous amounts of energy. Adding or taking away electrons is much
less worrisome.
The second part of the statement is that
sulfur molecules cannot be divided into smaller units. This is false because we know that sulfur
molecules are made of sulfur atoms. So, sulfur molecules can be divided into
smaller units that are atoms or even smaller units that are protons, neutrons, and
electrons.
