1 Sulphur (spelled also sulfur), discovered by the
Chinese around 1000AD, is the key ingredient in making gunpowder. Alchemists
continued to refine the recipe as this powdery substance spread across the
world, and since, gunpowder has became the most efficient form of weaponry, putting
out of action the modest spear, bow and arrow.
2 Sulphur’s unsavoury properties goes further with the
stinky smell of flatulence, bad breath, skunk scent, smelly feet, stink bombs
and eggy volcanic gas vents. The compound hydrogen sulphide is particularly stinky
when heated. Yet the much loved garlic (and onion) contains sulphur and is to
blame for garlic breath.
3 This smelly gas if inhaled at above 300 particles
per million in air, can be deadly, and indeed, caused over two hundred suicidal
deaths in Japan in 2008 after the stricken souls created the lethal concoction
from household chemicals. Entire apartments had to be evacuated.
 |
| Sulphur Crystals |
4 Sulphur Facts
Atomic number: 16
Atomic weight: 32.066
State: yellow solid
Category: non-metal
Melting point: 115°C (239°F)
Boiling point:
445°C (833°F)
What is Brimstone?
5 Sulphur was known as brimstone – burning stone – in
the early days due to its association with hell. Preachers were said to impart sermons
of fire and brimstone to put the fear of God into parishioners. Brimstone is
referred to repeatedly in the Bible, notably the raining of fire and brimstone
to destroy the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah.
6 And yet sulphuric acid provides a life-giving
ingredient in fertilizers and as a water cleansing agent for growing crops. Indeed,
trace amounts is needed for biochemical actions in cells, as an antioxidant and
is present in the vitamins biotin and thiamine. Sulphur compound is found in
protein, including keratin, hair, feathers and skin. Burning them will produce
an odorous smell. In fact, 0.25% of the body comprises sulphur.
Sulphuric Acid Facts
 |
| Sulphur Symbol |
7 Due to the dangers of eating decaying meat, our
noses have evolved to be extra sensitive to the smell of sulphur, as it is the
smell of rotting flesh – a sensitivity of around one parts per trillion. That’s
pretty sensitive because our lives depend upon our ability to steer clear of rotten
meat.
8 Sulphur is added to the latex, found in rubber trees,
to make durable, tough rubber for tyres. The process is known as vulcanisation
and explains the unpleasant smell of burning tyres. And the man responsible for
creating tough rubber? Charles Goodyear of Goodyear tyres.
9 Sulphur’s biggest use is in the production of
sulphuric acid, used is in batteries, detergents, plastics, dissolving rocks to
extract minerals and to make synthetic fibres. Sulphuric acid is dangerously
corrosive and protective gear is needed during handling.
Hydrogen Sulphide
10 Hydrogen sulphide is more toxic than cyanide, as it
can inhibit respiration. Yet incredibly, sulphuric acid – the same stuff that
used in car batteries, is found in the stomach juices of sea squids.
11 Sulphur can be mined without actually mining. The Frasch
process involves forcing the sulphur to the earth’s surface by forcing
superheated water under high pressure into the rocks. Molten sulphur is allowed
to cool in large containers.
12 Sulphur dioxide is widely used in the food industry
as a preservative and antioxidant. Dried fruits and vegetables, as well as soft
drinks contain minute amounts of sulphur dioxide, which has been known to
trigger an asthma attack in sufferers if inhaled.
No comments:
Post a Comment