Phosphorus (P)
| Atomic Number | 15 |
|---|---|
| Atomic Mass | 30.9737619985 u |
| Category | Polyatomic nonmetal |
| Electron Config | [Ne] 3s² 3p³ |
| Appearance | colourless, waxy white, yellow, scarlet, red, violet, black |
| Density (STP) | 1823 g/L |
| Melting Point | 317.3 K |
| Boiling Point | 553.6 K |
| Electronegativity | 2.19 (Pauling) |
| Ionization Energy | 1011.8 kJ/mol |
| Atomic Radius | 100 pm |
| Crystal Structure | Simple Triclinic |
| Discovered By | Hennig Brand (1669) |
Brief Introduction
Phosphorus (P) is a highly reactive nonmetal that exists in several allotropic forms, including white (waxy, toxic, spontaneously flammable), red (stable powder), and black (least reactive). It is essential for all life. Key details about Phosphorus (P) are as follows:
Uses: Critical for fertilizers (as phosphate), detergents, food additives, matches, pesticides, flame retardants, pharmaceuticals, and in steel production. Phosphorus compounds are essential in biochemistry (ATP, DNA, bones).
Production/Extraction: Extracted from phosphate rock (primarily fluorapatite) through mining. Elemental phosphorus is produced in electric furnaces by reducing phosphate rock with coke and silica. China, Morocco, and the U.S. hold major reserves.
History: Discovered by Hennig Brand in 1669 in Hamburg while attempting to produce gold from urine (phosphorus was the first element discovered that had not been known since ancient times). Named from Greek "phosphoros" meaning "light-bearer" due to white phosphorus's glow.
Health Effects & Safety: White phosphorus is extremely toxic and spontaneously flammable in air. Red phosphorus is much safer. Phosphate is essential for bones, teeth, DNA, RNA, and energy metabolism (ATP). Excessive phosphates in water cause eutrophication.
Price/Market: Phosphate rock prices fluctuate based on agricultural demand. Concerns about "peak phosphorus" and finite reserves drive research into recycling and efficiency. Geopolitically significant for food security.
Properties: White phosphorus glows in the dark (chemiluminescence), ignites spontaneously at about 30°C, red phosphorus is stable and non-toxic, black phosphorus has semiconductor properties, and forms compounds in -3, +3, and +5 oxidation states.
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