reactive metals

Reaction with oxygenSulphur's most prominent chemical property is that it burns. When it does so, it gives off a pale blue flame and sulphur dioxide (SO 2 ) gas. Sulphur dioxide has a very obvious strong, choking odor.When heated in air or oxygen, sulphur first melts and then burns with a blue flame to form sulphur dioxide and some traces of sulphur trioxide.Reaction with nonmetalswith hydrogen gas:The compound formed in this reaction is hydrogen sulphide (H 2 S). Hydrogen sulphide has one of the best known odors of all compounds. It smells like rotten eggs. Hydrogen sulphide is added to natural gas (methane) used in homes for cooking and heating. Methane is odorless. So the unique smell of hydrogen sulphide makes it easy to know when there is a methane leak.When hydrogen is passed through boiling sulphur, both hydrogen and sulphur combine to form hydrogen sulphideWith CarbonVapors of sulphur is passed over white-hot charcoal. They combine to form carbon disulphideWith chlorineWhen chlorine is bubbled through boiling sulphur, it forms sulphur monochloride Reaction with acidsSulphur does not react with hydrochloric acid. Dilute sulphuric acid and dilute nitric acid also do not affect sulphur.Reaction with hot concentrated Sulphuric acidWith hot concentrated sulphuric acid d is added to sulphur it oxidises to sulphur dioxide. During the reaction sulphuric acid undergoes thermal decomposition and in the process water, sulphur dioxide and nascent oxygen are formed.Nascent oxygen reacts with sulphur to form additional sulphur dioxide.ORReaction with hot concentrated nitric acidHot concentrated nitric acid oxidises sulphur to sulphuric acid.Sulphur is further oxidised by the nascent oxygen to sulphur trioxide.Sulphur trioxide then combines with water to form sulphuric acid.ORReaction with metalsWith most of the metals the reaction of sulphur is highly exothermic. Sulphur combines with metals under varying conditions of temperature to form the respective sulphides.With mercurySulphur is very reactive with mercury and can combine even at the temperature of liquid air (-200oC). Usually both are rubbed together to make them combine. With sodiumThe reaction of sulphur with sodium is as follows: With IronIron and sulphur combine on heating to form iron (II) sulphide, evolving a large quantity of heat energy. With CopperOn heating to about 400oC, copper combines with sulphur to form cuprous sulphide. If the temperature is above 400oC, then cupric sulphide is formed.With zincThe reaction of sulphur with zinc is as follows:Reaction with oxidizing agentsWhen sulphur is mixed with potassium nitrate, potassium chlorate etc., it forms an explosive mixture. When struck or heated or ignited, the mixture explodes e.g. gun powder.