Oxygen to Sulphur: Paul D's Theory

  • Context: High School 
  • Thread starter Thread starter PaulD
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Oxygen
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

Paul D's theory explores the potential for high-voltage electrical activity, such as lightning strikes, to convert oxygen atoms into sulfur atoms or sulfur compounds. However, Gokul refutes this theory, stating that the probability of such a transformation is extremely low. Furthermore, Gokul clarifies that sulfur itself is odorless; the characteristic smell associated with sulfur is produced during its combustion, which is similar to the odors of ozone and nitrogen dioxide formed from air components.

PREREQUISITES
  • Basic understanding of atomic structure and chemical reactions.
  • Familiarity with the properties of sulfur and its compounds.
  • Knowledge of electrical phenomena, particularly lightning and its effects.
  • Awareness of atmospheric chemistry, including the formation of ozone and nitrogen dioxide.
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the chemical properties of sulfur and its combustion products.
  • Study the effects of high-voltage electrical discharges on atmospheric gases.
  • Explore the chemistry of ozone formation and its relation to lightning.
  • Investigate the principles of atomic transformation and the conditions required for such processes.
USEFUL FOR

Individuals interested in atmospheric science, chemists studying sulfur compounds, and educators looking to explain the effects of lightning on air chemistry.

PaulD
Messages
10
Reaction score
0
I am not sure if this question is even in the correct thread but please bear with me. I have a theory about the smell of sulphur following lightning strikes or extreme electrical activity in the atmosphere. (this has been quite well documted). Would it be possible for a very high voltage to change a small number of Oxygen atoms into Sulphur atoms or a compound of sulphur ? I confess, unfortunately am not a physicist (or anything like) just a person with a perhaps an overimaginitive brain !
looking forward to comments (destructive or otherwise :rolleyes: )
Paul D...Guernsey
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Fusing oxygen into sulphur has an extremely low probability. Besides, sulphur itself is odorless - it is the combustion of sulphur that produces a distinctive odor. This odor is very similar to the smells of ozone and nitrogen dioxide, both of which are far more likely to form from the main components of air.
 
Gokul,
Many thanks for that and the alternative explanation.
Paul D
 

Similar threads

Why are some d-electron configurations more stable? (1st row)
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
Is my fictional Solar System stable and realistic?
  • · Replies 21 ·
Replies
21
Views
5K
What Causes Ball Lightning and How is it Controlled?
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
4K
Exploring Physics & Fiction: Is Consciousness Possible?
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
5K
High School How Does an IEC Fusion Reactor Work?
  • · Replies 19 ·
Replies
19
Views
5K
Chemically regenerating my auto's catalytic converter?
  • · Replies 19 ·
Replies
19
Views
8K
PF Fan Fiction: Mathematicians in Love
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
4K
Graduate Ball Lightning Debunk, New Proposal
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
4K
News Is James Randi a skeptic or a Republican climate change denier?
  • · Replies 59 ·
2
Replies
59
Views
12K
Graduate Complexity, The Standard Model and Higgs
  • · Replies 17 ·
Replies
17
Views
5K