Sulfur, also known as sulphur in British English, is a chemical element denoted by the symbol S and atomic number 16. It is plentiful, versatile, and nonmetallic in nature. At standard conditions, sulfur atoms combine to form cyclic octatomic molecules with the chemical formula S8, presenting as a bright yellow, crystalline solid at room temperature. Ranked as the tenth most prevalent element by mass in the universe and the fifth most common on Earth, sulfur is typically found in sulfide and sulfate minerals rather than in its pure, native state. Despite its abundance in its natural form, sulfur has been recognized since ancient times for its various uses in regions like India, Greece, China, and Egypt. Historically and in literature, sulfur is also referred to as brimstone, signifying "burning stone."