John Vane

At first, I was able to use a Bunsen burner attached to my mother's gas stove, but the use of the kitchen as a laboratory came to an abrupt end when a minor explosion involving hydrogen sulphide spattered the newly painted decor and changed the colour from blue to dirty green!

English Scientist

Know it's a compound, meaning two or more elements joined chemically.

Chemical Understanding

The 'ph' in sulphide is pronounced as an 'f', like in 'phone'.

Pronunciation Clue

Best used in scientific or technical conversations, not casual talk.

Context Sensitivity

It's often associated with corrosion or tarnish on metals.

Industrial Context

Sulphides can be difficult to remove, requiring special cleaning agents.

Cleaning Difficulty

The substance usually appears yellowish or brownish.

Visual Identification

Sulphide minerals form in various geological environments.

Geological Occurrence

Sulphide ores are important sources of metals like copper and nickel.

Ore Extraction

Sulphide deposits can be economically valuable and mined for profit.