March 28, 2024, 08:32:31 AM
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Topic: why does sulfur element exist as S8 but oxygen exists as a diatomic molecule?  (Read 6116 times)

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Offline ajax0604

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They belong to the same group so wouldn't they bond in a similar way?

Offline sjb

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They belong to the same group so wouldn't they bond in a similar way?

What is the bond strength for O=O, O-O, S=S, and S-S? Consider also N2 and P4, for instance.

Offline ajax0604

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I've looked up the bond energies on this website http://www.wiredchemist.com/chemistry/data/bond-energies-lengths but I'm still not seeing the connection between bond energies and why S8 forms in preference to S2.

Offline UG

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Consider the number of S-S bonds in S8, how much energy is released when a molecule of S8 forms? Next consider the formation of four S2 molecules which are double bonded, how much energy is released in this process?

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