Phosphorus is the element that has the atomic number 15, and the symbol P. The name of phosphorus comes from the Greek word phosphoros, meaning light-bearer. Phosphorus is in the nitrogen group and is a multivalent nonmetal. It reacts very well so that it is impossible to find phosphorus as a free element in nature. Phosphorus is the main source that is needed when making fertilizers. Besides fertilizers, it is well-used when making explosives, nerve agents, friction matches, fireworks, pesticides, toothpaste, and detergents.

1 Properties
2 Occurrences
3 Uses
4 Isotopes
5 Gallery
6 Related References
7 See Also

Properties

There are four allotropic forms of phosphorus which are two forms of white (or yellow), red, and black (or violet). They are quite different between these two forms. White phosphorus exhibits a and b modifications, with a transition temperature between the two forms at -3.8°C. Ordinary phosphorus is a waxy white solid. It is colorless and transparent in pure form. Phosphorus is insoluble in water, but soluble in carbon disulfide. Phosphorus burns in air to its pentoxide and it is highly poisonous. White phosphorus should be stored under water and handled with forceps. It causes severe burns when in contact with skin. White phosphorus is converted to red phosphorus when exposed to sunlight or heated in its own vapor to 250°C. Unlike white phosphorus, red phosphorus does not phosphoresce in air, although it still requires careful handling. Red Phosphorus could vary from orange to purple. , black phosphorous is made under high pressure, it looks like graphite and, like graphite. It has the ability to conduct electricity.

Occurrences

Phosphate rocks

Phosphorus is not found in nature, but it is widely distributed in many different minerals. Phosphate rock is an important source of this element. Large amounts of phosphate rocks are located in China, Russia, Morocco, Florida, Idaho, Tennessee and Utah. The United Kingdom and their Niagara Falls plant were using phosphate rock in the 1890s and 1900s from Connetable. In 1950 they were using phosphate rock mainly from Tennessee and North Africa. In the early 1990s Albright and Wilson's purified wet phosphoric acid business was being affected by phosphate rock sales by China and the entry of their long standing Moroccan phosphate suppliers into the purified wet phosphoric acid business.

There is one story about phosphorus. long time ago, many people said that they had seen a death fire nearby tomb. Many scientists said, people who had seen a illusion which is death fire, but it could be a spontaneous conbustion of phosphorus. PH3 or P2H4 (Mixture of phosphrous) is easily to conbustion with air especially in summer and usually it is found from rotten meat.

Phosphorus is discovery by Henry brand. He evaportated urine and then put sand and charcoal and heated. However the fire was coming out from bottom. It was so bright that he could read a book without light on it.

Uses

Match box

Burning Phosphorus

Phosphorus is used in the manufacture of safety matches, pyrotechnics, incendiary shells, smoke bombs, tracer bullets, fireworks, pesticides, toothpaste(cavity protection or tarter control), shampoo and detergents.
In the war, Phosphorus used in smoke bomb. Usually smokes to used hide troops and obscure vision. When red phosphorus and white phosphorus is burning. It produce hygroscopic smoke containing phosphoric acids. It reacts with atmospheric moisture slowly. The smoke doesn't produce any body injury, the smoke is not even toxic. but some somke is very harzard White phosphorus fume can cause severe eye irritation with blepharospasm, photophobia, and lacrimation. Irritation of the eyes and irritation of the mucous membranes are the most commonly seen injuries.
Earlier white phosphorus was used for matches but today red phosphorus is used in "safty matches" because it is less poisonous and volatile. Also it used in the production of special glasses, such as those used for sodium lamps. Phosphorus is important in the production of steel, phosphor bronze, and many other products. Phosphorus is the most important elements for plants. Superphosphate is the most widely using phosphorus fertilizer. Best fertilizer is DiAmmomiumPhosphate because it contains both phosphorus and nitrogen. Usually phosphorus is using to make fire but it can be stop or reduce the fire. phosphorus is used in water treatment, since it forms insoluble salts with many metals.

Isotopes

Main Article: Isotopes

Phosphorus has one stable isotope which is P-31. Although Phosphorus has 24 different Isotopes and there are still many of unknown isotopes.
For example, P-33a beta-emitter with a half-life of 25.4 days. It is used in life-science laboratories in applications in which lower energy beta emissions are advantageous such as DNA sequencing.