Oxygen (O) VS Sulfur (S)
A definitive side-by-side comparison of two essential element profiles.
VS
Main Differences
Oxygen (O) is an element in the nonmetals category with an atomic number of 8. Sulfur (S) is an element in the nonmetals category with an atomic number of 16.
Sulfur (S) is 1.4x denser than Oxygen (O). However, Sulfur (S) melts at a higher temperature than Oxygen (O) (a difference of 334.0 Kelvin).
Where do the names come from?
Oxygen (O) Naming History
The name Oxygen comes from the Greek ''oxy genes'', meaning acid forming.
Sulfur (S) Naming History
The name is derived either from the Sanskrit 'sulvere', or the Latin 'sulfurium'.
Related Comparisons
Compare
Oxygen (O)
Sulfur (S)
Category
Nonmetals
Nonmetals
Atomic Number
8
16
Symbol
O
S
Atomic Mass
15.999 u
32.06 u
Group
16
16
Period
2
3
Block
p-block
p-block
Standard State (at 20°C)
gas
solid
Density
1.429 g/L g/cm³
2.07 g/cm³
Melting Point (°C)
−218.79°C
115.21°C
Melting Point (°F)
−361.82°F
239.38°F
Melting Point (K)
54.36 K
388.36 K
Boiling Point (°C)
−182.962°C
444.61°C
Boiling Point (°F)
−297.332°F
832.3°F
Boiling Point (K)
90.2 K
717.8 K
Year Discovered:
1774
Ancient
CAS Number
7782-44-7
7704-34-9
Origin of Name:
The name comes from the Greek ''oxy genes'', meaning acid forming.
The name is derived either from the Sanskrit 'sulvere', or the Latin 'sulfurium'.