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Sulfur (or sulphur) is the chemical element that has the atomic number 16. It is denoted with the symbol S. It is an abundant multivalent non-metal. Sulfur, in its native form, is a yellow crystalline solid. In nature, it can be found as the pure element and as sulfide and sulfate minerals. It is an essential element for life and is found in two amino acids, cysteine and methionine. Its commercial uses are primarily in fertilizers, but it is also widely used in black gunpowder, matches, insecticides and fungicides. Elemental sulfur crystals are commonly sought after by mineral collectors for their brightly colored polyhedron shapes. In nonscientific context it can also be referred to as brimstone.

One of the direct uses of sulfur is in vulcanization of rubber, where polysulfides crosslink organic polymers. Sulfur is a component of gunpowder. It reacts directly with methane to give carbon disulfide, which is used to manufacture cellophane and rayon. Elemental sulfur is mainly used as a precursor to other chemicals. Approximately 85% (1989) is converted to sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄), which is of such prime importance to the world's economies that the production and consumption of sulfuric acid is an indicator of a nation's industrial development. For example, more sulfuric acid is produced in the United States every year than any other industrial chemical. The principal use for the acid is the extraction of phosphate ores for the production of fertilizer manufacturing. Other applications of sulfuric acid include oil refining, wastewater processing, and mineral extraction. Sulfur compounds are also used in detergents, fungicides, dyestuffs, and agrichemicals. In silver-based photography sodium and ammonium thiosulfate are used as "fixing agents." Sulfur is an ingredient in some acne treatments. An increasing application is as fertilizer. Standard sulfur is hydrophobic and therefore has to be covered with a surfactant by bacteria in the ground before it can be oxidized to sulfate. This makes it a slow release fertilizer, which cannot be taken up by the plants instantly, but has to be oxidized to sulfate over the growth season. Biologically produced sulfur particles are naturally hydrophilic due to a biopolymer coating. This sulfur is therefore easier to disperse over the land (via spraying as a diluted slurry), and results in a faster release. Sulfites, derived from burning sulfur, are heavily used to bleach paper. They are also used as preservatives in dried fruit. Magnesium sulfate, better known as Epsom salts, can be used as a laxative, a bath additive, an exfoliant, a magnesium supplement for plants, or a desiccant. Sulfur is one of the oldest pesticides used in agriculture. In organic production sulfur is the most important fungicide used. Biosulfur (biologically produced elemental sulfur with hydrophillic characteristics) can be used well for these applications. Wettable sulfur is the commercial name for sulfur which has been altered to be water-soluble. It is used as a fungicide against mildew and other mold related problems with plants and soil. Available in hydroponic and gardening stores. Sulfur is also used as an "organic" (i.e. "green") insecticide, effective against mites.

The burning of coal and/or petroleum by industry and power plants generates sulfur dioxide (SO₂), which reacts with atmospheric water and oxygen to produce sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄). This sulfuric acid is a component of acid rain, which lowers the pH of soil and freshwater bodies, sometimes resulting in substantial damage to the environment and chemical weathering of statues and structures. Fuel standards increasingly require sulfur to be extracted from fossil fuels to prevent the formation of acid rain. This extracted sulfur is then refined and represents a large portion of sulfur production. In coal fired power plants, the flue gases are sometimes purified. In more modern power plants that use syngas the sulfur is extracted before the gas is burned.

Properties

Symbol: S
Atomic number: 16
Appearance: Lemon yellow crystals.
Standard atomic weight 32.065(5)?g·mol-1
Electron configuration [Ne] 3s2 3p4
Solid Density (near r.t.): (alpha) 2.07 g·cm-3, (beta) 1.96 g·cm-3, (gamma) 1.92 g·cm-3
Liquid density at m.p.: 1.819 g·cm-3
Melting point: 388.36 K (115.21 °C, 239.38 °F)
Boiling point 717.8 K (444.6 °C, 832.3 °F)
Heat of fusion (mono): 1.727 kJ·mol-1
Heat of vaporization (mono) 45 kJ·mol-1
Specific heat capacity (25 °C) 22.75 J·mol-1·K-1
Oxidation states: +6, +4, +2, +1, -2

Isotopes of sulfur
³²S 95.02% abundant
³⁴S 4.21% abundant
³⁶S 0.02% abundant

The coordinates for the cache are:
N 36° A.BCD W 085° E.FGH

A= (liquid density x 10) - 0.190
B=(atomic weight / 10) - 0.20655
C= (heat of vaporization) - 40
D= highest oxidation state of sulfur

E= (specific heat capacity) - 0.75
F= (number of valence electrons for sulfur)
G= (number of 3p electrons in sulfur)
H= (solid density rounded to nearest integer value)

There are two wallet sized portraits of Abe Lincoln in the cache for the first to find.

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