Sulfur atom in 3D
Proteins and industrial chemistry. Sulfur occurs in some amino acids and is used to produce sulfuric acid, an important industrial chemical. Explore the 3D model, inspect its parts and learn with guided explanations. Free on Atlas.
What you can learn
Proteins and industrial chemistry. Sulfur occurs in some amino acids and is used to produce sulfuric acid, an important industrial chemical.
Identify sulfur from its proton count.
Count the neutrons in Sulfur-32.
Inspect the occupied electron shells.
Compare the valence shell with a neighbouring element.
Explain what changes when an electron is lost.
Elemental sulfur and sulfur-containing compounds can have very different properties.
Try an investigation
Identify sulfur from its proton count.
Check your understanding
What identifies an atom as sulfur?
16 protons. Atomic number is proton count. Every sulfur nucleus has 16 protons.
How many neutrons are in Sulfur-32?
16. Neutrons = mass number − atomic number = 32 − 16 = 16. Mass number is not the average atomic weight of natural samples.
How many electrons are in a neutral sulfur atom?
16. A neutral atom balances 16 positive protons with 16 negative electrons.
Which shell count describes neutral sulfur in its ground state?
2, 8, 6. [Ne] 3s² 3p⁴ gives 2, 8, 6 electrons across its occupied shells. Circular paths are only diagram guides.
If this atom loses one electron, what happens to its net charge?
It becomes +1. Losing one negative electron leaves one more proton than electrons. Its 16 protons still identify it as sulfur.
What can this 3D shell model tell you reliably?
The particle counts for the selected neutral isotope. The counts represent a defined isotope and neutral atom. Particle sizes, spacing and circles are simplified teaching symbols.
Sources and model scope
An educational representation. The explorer identifies its data sources, scale choices and simplifications.