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Azufre (S): Bohr Model, Protons, Neutrons & Electrons

Azufre is element number 16, a nonmetal in group 16, period 3. Its atom has 16 protons, 16 neutrons and 16 electrons arranged in 3 shells: 2, 8, 6.

16 p⁺ · 16 n⁰
Bohr model of sulfur: 16 protons (red) and 16 neutrons (blue) in the nucleus, 16 electrons (gold) in shells 2, 8, 6.

Protons, neutrons and electrons in sulfur

El atomic number of sulfur is 16, so every sulfur atom has 16 protons. A neutral atom has the same number of electrons, 16. The number of neutrons depends on the isotope: neutrons = mass number − atomic number. For sulfur-32, that is 32 − 16 = 16 neutrons. Sulfur has 4 stable isotopes, with 16, 17, 18, 20 neutrons.

How to draw the Bohr model of sulfur

  1. Draw the nucleus and write 16 p⁺ y 16 n⁰ inside it.
  2. Draw the first shell and put 2 electrons on it (the first shell holds at most 2).
  3. Draw the second shell and put 8 electrons on it.
  4. Draw the third shell and put 6 electrons on it.
  5. Check: 2 + 8 + 6 = 16 electrons, the same as the number of protons.

Electron configuration

The electron configuration of sulfur is [Ne] 3s² 3p⁴. Its 6 outer electrons decide how it reacts: it tends to gain 2 more, forming S²⁻ ions.

Key facts about sulfur

SymbolS
Atomic number16
Relative atomic mass32.06
Group · period · blockgroup 16 · period 3 · p-block
TipoNo metal
State at 25 °Csolid
Capas electrónicas2, 8, 6
Electron configuration[Ne] 3s² 3p⁴
Electrones de valencia6
Common ionS²⁻
Electronegativity (Pauling)2.58
First ionisation energy10.36 eV (1000 kJ/mol)
Atomic radius (empirical)100 pm

¿Dónde sulfur sits on the periodic table

Preguntas frecuentes

How many protons, neutrons and electrons does sulfur have?

Sulfur has 16 protons and 16 electrons (atomic number 16). Its most common isotope, sulfur-32, has 32 − 16 = 16 neutrons.

What is the electron configuration of sulfur?

[Ne] 3s² 3p⁴. In shells that is 2, 8, 6.

How many valence electrons does sulfur have?

6. Sulfur is in group 16, and its outer shell holds 6 electrons.

Where is sulfur on the periodic table?

In group 16, period 3, in the p-block. It is a nonmetal.

Explorar sulfur in 3D Build atoms in the Atom Builder