Answers section
Questions 5.1
- Comment about the reactivity of sulphur.
- Suggest a reason why sulphur is found both as a free element and in combined state with other elements.
- Identify one other non-metal around us that is fairly reactive but also exists both as a free element and in chemical compounds.
- Of the two sources: free element and combined sulphur, which one would be more suitable for extracting sulphur? Explain your answer.
- The atomic number of sulphur is 16. To which Group of the Periodic Table does sulphur belong? What is its electronic configuration?
From the brief introduction, and your knowledge of the Periodic Table,
Answers to Questions 5.1 
- Sulphur is fairly stable, with moderate reactivity; that is, not so high or so low.
- Some chemical reactions occurred in the past and produced sulphur; but the conditions thereafter could not support further reaction. At other places, conditions such as high temperatures due to volcanicity, caused sulphur to combine chemically with other elements.
- Oxygen. It exists as a free element in the atmosphere and as oxides, carbonates, and so on.
- Free sulphur. It is more economical to use, because it does not involve many chemical processes such as reduction, oxidation, purification and refining.
- Group VI. 2:8:6