Sulfur vs. Sulfate — What's the Difference?

A yellow chemical element used in industry and biochemistry.

Common in the environment, especially in water sources.

A non-metal element with the symbol "S" and atomic number 16.

Contains sulfur bonded to four oxygen atoms.

A component in various minerals and Earth's crust.

Represents a group in organic chemistry derived from sulfuric acid.

Used widely in manufacturing, especially in producing sulfuric acid.

Used in various products from shampoos to food additives.

An essential element for life, found in amino acids and vitamins.

The sulfate or sulphate ion is a polyatomic anion with the empirical formula SO2−4. Salts, acid derivatives, and peroxides of sulfate are widely used in industry.

Sulfur (in British English: sulphur) is a chemical element with the symbol S and atomic number 16. It is abundant, multivalent and nonmetallic.

The divalent group SO4 or a compound containing this group.

Symbol S A pale yellow nonmetallic element occurring widely in nature in several free, allotropic and crystal forms and combined in numerous sulfates and sulfides. It is used in black gunpowder, rubber vulcanization, the manufacture of insecticides and pharmaceuticals, and in the preparation of sulfur compounds such as hydrogen sulfide and sulfuric acid. Atomic number 16; atomic weight 32.066; melting point 115.21°C; boiling point 444.61°C; specific gravity at 20°C (rhombic) 2.07, (monoclinic) 2.00; valence 2, 4, 6. See Periodic Table.

To treat or react with sulfuric acid or a sulfate.

Any of various butterflies of the subfamily Coliadinae of the family Pieridae, having yellow or orange wings often marked with black.

(Electricity) To cause lead sulfate to accumulate on (the plates of a lead-acid storage battery).

To treat with sulfur or a compound of sulfur.

To become sulfated.

(uncountable) A chemical element (symbol S) with an atomic number of 16.

(organic chemistry) Any ester of sulfuric acid.

A yellowish green colour, like that of sulfur.

(inorganic chemistry) Any salt of sulfuric acid.

Any of various pierid butterflies of the subfamily Coliadinae, especially the sulfur-coloured species.

To treat something with sulfuric acid, a sulfate, or with sulfur dioxide.

Of a yellowish green colour, like that of sulfur.

(of a lead-acid battery) To accumulate a deposit of lead sulfate.

(transitive) To treat with sulfur, or a sulfur compound, especially to preserve or to counter agricultural pests.

A salt or ester of sulphuric acid

An abundant tasteless odorless multivalent nonmetallic element; best known in yellow crystals; occurs in many sulphide and sulphate minerals and even in native form (especially in volcanic regions)

A compound or anion derived from sulfuric acid.

Treat with sulphur in order to preserve;

Sulfur is a chemical element, while Sulfate is a compound or anion derived from sulfuric acid.

Yes, Sulfates can be found, especially in water sources due to their solubility.

Sulfates are added to shampoos for their lathering and cleansing properties.

Yes, Sulfur is vital as it's a component of essential amino acids and vitamins.