Sulfur (S)
* Appearance: Yellow solid, brittle, powdery or crystalline
* Melting point: 115.21 °C
* Boiling point: 444.6 °C
* Solubility: Insoluble in water, soluble in carbon disulfide
* Reactivity: Reacts with metals to form sulfides
* Other properties: Has a pungent smell (like rotten eggs), is a good electrical insulator, used in gunpowder, matches, and rubber vulcanization
Iron Sulfide (FeS)
* Appearance: Dark, brittle solid
* Melting point: 1193 °C
* Boiling point: 2198 °C
* Solubility: Insoluble in water, soluble in acids
* Reactivity: Less reactive than sulfur alone, but still reacts with acids
* Other properties: Magnetic, used in the production of sulfuric acid, pigments, and other chemicals
Comparison:
* Appearance: Sulfur is bright yellow, while iron sulfide is dark.
* Melting point: Iron sulfide has a much higher melting point than sulfur.
* Reactivity: Sulfur is more reactive than iron sulfide.
* Magnetism: Iron sulfide is magnetic, while sulfur is not.
Key takeaway:
The combination of sulfur and iron creates a new compound with entirely different properties than either element alone. The chemical reaction between the two elements changes their physical and chemical characteristics.