In the most common form of elemental sulfur, S_8, each sulfur atom is bonded to how many other sulfur atoms?

• A. 4
• B. 2
• C. 3
• D. 1

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the molecular structure of elemental sulfur in its most common form, which is S_8. This molecule consists of eight sulfur atoms arranged in a ring.
2. Visualize or recall that the S_8 molecule forms a crown-shaped cyclic structure where each sulfur atom is connected to two neighboring sulfur atoms, forming a ring.
3. Recognize that in this ring structure, each sulfur atom forms exactly two single covalent bonds with adjacent sulfur atoms.
4. Therefore, the number of sulfur atoms bonded to each sulfur atom in S_8 is two.
5. This bonding pattern is consistent with sulfur's ability to form two bonds in this cyclic allotrope, maintaining the stability of the S_8 ring.