The Versatile Element: Sulphur

The same element that makes gunpowder explode is also used in skin creams. That element is

sulphur. This yellow rock is a total shapeshifter, with different forms like rhombic and

plastic sulphur. It’s the secret ingredient that makes matches strike, and it's used to

vulcanize rubber, making your car tires tough and durable. But its most famous

form is sulphuric acid, once known as the "Oil of Vitriol." This stuff is a

beast—a super strong acid and an intense dehydrating agent that can pull water out of other materials.

It’s essential for making fertilizers, paints, plastics, and refining gasoline.