Question

Why sulphur has two melting point values

Answer 1

I don't know how well known/accepted this is (it's in my textbook so I'm guessing it's right), but Sulphur has two forms - the alpha and beta forms ,apparently gamma sulphur exists as well.

The alpha form is rhombic, yellow in color and has a MP of 385.8 K. The beta form is colorless and has a MP of 393 K and is formed by melting rhombic sulphur and cooling it till a crust forms on top. Poke a hole and pour out the liquid inside and you get beta sulphur. The transition point is 369K - below it, alpha sulphur is stable and above it, beta sulphur is stable. Both have helped. I had to pull out an old textbook and that's something that I don't usually do.