Uses of Sulfur
Sulfur, sometimes spelled sulphur, is a bright yellow crystalline solid that is essential for life. Here are some of the common uses of sulfur in the world today!
Uses of Sulfur
- Most sulfur is converted to sulfuric acid. Sulfuric acid is extremely important to many industries around the world. It is used in the manufacture of fertilizer, oil refining, processing wastewater, lead-acid batteries in cars, mineral extraction, removing rust from iron, making nylon and producing hydrochloric acid.
- Sulfur can be used as a pesticide and fungicide. Many farmers that grow organic foods use sulfur as a natural pesticide and fungicide.
- Magnesium sulfate, which contains sulfur, is used as a laxative, in bath salts and as a magnesium supplement for plants.
- Sulfur is important for life. Therefore, it is added to fertilizers (in soluble form) so that plants have more sulfur available in the soil.
- Carbon disulfide, a compound of sulfur, can be used to make cellophane and rayon (a material used in clothes).
- Sulfur is used to vulcanize rubber. Vulcanization makes rubber tougher. It ensures that rubber maintains its shape. Car tires, shoe soles, hoses and ice hockey pucks are all made from vulcanized rubber.
- Other compounds of sulfur (sulfites) are used to bleach paper and preserve fruit.
- Sulfur is also one component of gunpowder.
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