Problem 8 Name the different allotropes of... [FREE SOLUTION]

Chapter 8: Problem 8

Name the different allotropes of sulphur.

Short Answer

Expert verified

Answer: The three common allotropes of sulphur are: 1. Rhombic sulphur (伪-sulphur): The most stable form of sulphur with an orthorhombic crystal structure and yellow color, forming at temperatures below 95.6掳C. 2. Monoclinic sulphur (尾-sulphur): A less stable, needle-like crystal structure that is also yellow, forming at temperatures between 95.6掳C and 114.7掳C, and transforms back into 伪-sulphur below 95.6掳C. 3. Amorphous (plastic) sulphur: A non-crystalline, rubbery-textured form of sulphur produced when molten sulphur is quickly cooled, which slowly reverts to crystalline forms over time.

Step by step solution

Identify Allotropes of Sulphur

There are several allotropes of sulphur, but the most common and well-known ones are: rhombic sulphur (伪-sulphur), monoclinic sulphur (尾-sulphur), and amorphous (plastic) sulphur.

Briefly Describe Each Allotrope

1. Rhombic sulphur (伪-sulphur): This is the most stable form of sulphur, and it is yellow in color. It has an orthorhombic crystal structure and forms at temperatures below 95.6掳C. 2. Monoclinic sulphur (尾-sulphur): This allotrope of sulphur has a needle-like crystal structure and is also yellow. It is less stable than rhombic sulphur and forms at temperatures between 95.6掳C and 114.7掳C. At temperatures below 95.6掳C, it transforms back into 伪-sulphur. 3. Amorphous (plastic) sulphur: This is a non-crystalline form of sulphur, with a rubbery texture. It is produced when molten sulphur is quickly cooled, and it slowly reverts to crystalline forms over time. To summarize, the different allotropes of sulphur are rhombic sulphur (伪-sulphur), monoclinic sulphur (尾-sulphur), and amorphous (plastic) sulphur.

Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!

Full Textbook Solutions
Get detailed explanations and key concepts
Unlimited Al creation
Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...
Ads-free access
To over 500 millions flashcards
Money-back guarantee
We refund you if you fail your exam.

Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with 91影视!

Key Concepts

These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.

Rhombic Sulphur

Rhombic sulphur, known as 伪-sulphur, is the most stable and common allotrope of sulphur. It is recognized for its bright yellow color and distinctive orthorhombic crystal structure. This form of sulphur typically exists at temperatures below 95.6掳C.

Rhombic sulphur consists of puckered ring-shaped molecules, each containing eight sulphur atoms. These atoms create an arrangement that resembles a crown when viewed from above.

Highly stable and resistant to change under normal conditions
Commonly found in nature in volcanic regions
Plays a vital role in the allotropy of sulphur because it serves as a reference state for energy comparisons

Despite its stability, when heated to around 95.6掳C, it transforms into monoclinic sulphur, showing the interdependence of sulphur allotropes.

Monoclinic Sulphur

Monoclinic sulphur, also referred to as 尾-sulphur, is another known form of sulphur found at temperatures between 95.6掳C and 114.7掳C. Unlike rhombic sulphur, monoclinic sulphur features needle-like crystals, showcasing a different, though still yellow, crystal structure.

The transformation of rhombic sulphur into monoclinic sulphur occurs when temperatures rise beyond 95.6掳C, underscoring the temperature sensitivity of sulphur allotropes.

Forms naturally in environments with fluctuating temperatures, such as in hot springs
Less stable as compared to rhombic sulphur
Easily transforms back to rhombic sulphur upon cooling below 95.6掳C

This cyclic transformation between sulphur forms highlights the dynamic nature of sulphur allotropes and their dependencies based on environmental conditions.

Amorphous Sulphur

Amorphous sulphur, often called plastic sulphur, differs significantly from the crystalline allotropes. As the name implies, it lacks a defined crystal structure, making it non-crystalline and giving it a rubbery texture. This unique identity emerges when molten sulphur undergoes rapid cooling.

While this allotrope is less stable, it intriguingly reverts to one of the crystalline forms over time, indicating its inherent instability.

Formed through rapid cooling of liquid sulphur
Initial rubbery and stretchy texture turns brittle over time
Illustrates the transformation processes sulphur undergoes under different physical conditions

Amorphous sulphur鈥檚 unique properties make it a vital study subject in understanding the broader behaviors and transformations of sulphur allotropes.

91影视

Name the different allotropes of sulphur.

Short Answer

Step by step solution

Identify Allotropes of Sulphur

Briefly Describe Each Allotrope

Key Concepts

Rhombic Sulphur

Monoclinic Sulphur

Amorphous Sulphur

One App. One Place for Learning.

Most popular questions from this chapter

Recommended explanations on Chemistry Textbooks

Kinetics

Nuclear Chemistry

Chemical Reactions

Chemical Analysis

Ionic and Molecular Compounds

Chemistry Branches

Study anywhere. Anytime. Across all devices.