When viscous molten sulfur is heated to 200 degrees Celsius, more S-S bonds break and the sample is able to flow.
Yellow powdered sulfur is heated until it becomes molten and brown. At first it flows freely, but then it becomes very viscous. Upon further heating, the viscous sulfur flows freely again and ignites. The burning liquid sulfur is poured into a beaker of water. When removed from the water, the sulfur is rubbery and flexible.
Discussion:
Chart with Temperature and Composition445°C Boiling Point200°C Chains Shorten180°C Brown and Viscous160°C S8 breaks up, forms chains113°C Melting Point
Credits:
- Design, Demonstration and Production
- John W. Moore University of Wisconsin - Madison, Madison, WI 53706
- Lynn R. Hunsberger University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40292
- Steven D. Gammon University of Idaho, Moscow, ID 83843
- Text
- Kelly Houston Jetzer University of Wisconsin - Madison, Madison, WI 53706
- John W. Moore University of Wisconsin - Madison, Madison, WI 53706