What is hydrogen sulfide?
Q: What is hydrogen sulfide?
A: Hydrogen sulfide is a colorless, toxic, flammable gas with the chemical formula H2S.
Q: What are some of the sources of hydrogen sulfide?
A: Sources of hydrogen sulfide include swamps, sewers, volcanic gases, natural gas and some well waters.
Q: What does hydrogen sulfide smell like?
A: Hydrogen sulfide has a foul smell similar to that of rotten eggs or flatulence.
Q: Does sulfur itself have an odor?
A: No, sulfur itself does not have an odor. The smell people often associate with sulfur is actually from hydrogen sulfide.
Q: What other names is hydrogen sulfide known by?
A: Other names for hydrogen sulfide include "sulfane", "sulfur hydride", "sour gas", "sulfurated hydrogen", "hydrosulfuric acid", "sewer gas" and "stink damp".
Q: How does it form when there is no oxygen present?
A: When there is no oxygen present, bacteria break down organic matter which can result in the formation of hydrogen sulfide.
Q: Is IUPAC's name for this compound accepted universally?
A Yes, IUPAC's names for this compound - “hydrogen sulphate” and “sulphane” - are accepted universally.
