* Electronegativity: Sulfur has a higher electronegativity than silicon. This means sulfur has a greater tendency to attract electrons, making it more likely to participate in chemical reactions.

* Ionization Energy: Sulfur has a lower ionization energy than silicon. This means it requires less energy to remove an electron from a sulfur atom, making it easier to form positive ions and participate in reactions.

* Oxidation States: Sulfur exhibits a wider range of oxidation states than silicon, indicating its greater versatility in chemical reactions.

* Reactivity with Oxygen: Sulfur reacts readily with oxygen to form sulfur dioxide (SO2), a common air pollutant. Silicon, while it does react with oxygen, forms a stable silicon dioxide (SiO2) layer that protects the underlying silicon.

In summary, sulfur's higher electronegativity, lower ionization energy, and wider range of oxidation states contribute to its higher reactivity compared to silicon.