An element X which is a yellow solid at room temperature shows catenation and allotropy. X forms two oxides which are also formed during the thermal decomposition of ferrous sulphate crystals and are the major air pollutants
(a) Identify the element X
(b) Write the electronic configuration of X
(c) Write the balanced chemical equation for the thermal decomposition of ferrous sulphate crystals ?
(d) What would be the nature (acidic/basic) of oxides formed ?
(e) Locate the position of the element in the modern table.

Explanation

(a) The available information suggests that the element X is sulphur.
(b) Electronic configuration of S(Z = 16) 2, 8, 6
(c) `2FeSO_(4).7H_(2)O(s)overset("heat")rarrFe_(2)O_(3)(s)+SO_(2)(g)+SO_(3)(g)+7H_(2)O(g)`
(d) `Fe_(2)O_(3)" (basic oxide)", SO_(2)" (acidic oxide)", SO_(3)" (acidic oxide)"`
(e) Sulphur is a member of group 16 and period 3.