Scientific name: SSulfur, also spelt sulphur, is a bright yellow element that is commonly found in nature. It is found in pure form around volcanoes and can also be mined. Sulfur is essential to life, and is used in a variety of ways. It is a component of gunpowder, it is used as a preservative, in the head of matches, is found in fertilizer and many other uses. Many things that contain sulfur smell bad, and sulfur is found in skunk smell and garlic.