Final answer:
Sulfur is a nonmetal with six valence electrons. It forms sulfide ions when it gains two additional electrons, leading to an oxidation state of 2-. Sulfur can react with both metals and nonmetals.
Step-by-step explanation:
Sulfur is a nonmetal and it belongs to group 16 of the periodic table. This nonmetal reacts with a wide range of metals to form compounds known as sulfides and also with most nonmetals. In a typical reaction between a metal, such as zinc, and sulfur, electrons are transferred from the metal to the sulfur, forming a compound. Sulfur has six valence electrons, which participate in chemical bonding.
When sulfur gains two additional electrons, it forms the sulfide ion with a 2- oxidation state. In diatomic molecules or ions containing sulfur, there are a total of 14 valence electrons to consider for two sulfur atoms, after accounting for the -2 charge each carries. However, for just a single sulfur atom, it's important to remember that only six electrons are available for bonding or forming lone pairs.