Question

Is sulphur a metal, metalloid or nonmetal? What is its family name?

Answer 1

All elements (except hydrogen) which form a positive ion by losing electrons within a chemical reaction are known as metals whereas the elements which have a tendency to gain electrons and form anions within a chemical reaction are known as nonmetals. The elements which tend to behave as both metals and nonmetals under specific conditions are known as metalloids.

Complete answer:
Sulphur is a chemical element whose atomic number is $16$ and it is represented by the symbol $S$. It is abundant, multivalent and non-metallic in nature. Under normal conditions, sulphur exists in its molecular form with chemical formula ${S_8}$. It belongs to group VI which is known as chalcogens or oxygen family.
The sulphur element is considered as a nonmetal due to the following reasons:
-It is not lustrous in nature.
-It is a non-sonorous substance.
-It is a non-conductor of electricity.
-It has relatively lower density as compared to metals.
-It consists of high electronegativity as compared to other metals.
-It forms acidic oxides.
Therefore, sulphur is a nonmetal which belongs to the oxygen family which is also known as chalcogens.

Note:
It is important to note that the elements of the oxygen family are extracted from ores of copper oxides, sulphide, selenide and telurids. The word chalcogen is derived from a Greek word chalkos which means copper ore former. Therefore, the oxygen family is also known as chalcogens.