Why is dioxygen a gas, but sulphur a solid?

Explanation

Due to small size of oxygen, the non- bonding electrons on the two oxygen atoms in .: O-O:. bond strongly repel each other while such repulsions are much -less in .S-S. bond. As a result, .O-O. bond dissociation energy is much less than that of .S-S. bond. In other words sulphur has much higher tendency-for catenation and higher tendency for .p pi-p pi. multiple bonds. S does not form .p pi-p pi S=S. multiple bonds untike .O=O. nrultiple bonds . .Oxy. gen forms stable diatomic .O., molecule whereas sulphur because of its higher tendency for catenation and .lesser tendency for ppi-ppi multiple bonds forms octa-atomic molecules having 8 -membered puckered ring structure which exists as a solid.