Phosphorus, P

This is a picture of solid Phosphorus in a flask This is a picture to depict the electron configuration of bismuth
This is a picture of phosphorus it is adapted by Dr Mark Winter with permission from Prof James Marshall's (U. North Texas, USA) Walking Tour of the elements CD This is a picture to depict the electron configuration of phosphorus, this picture is courtesy of Dr Mark Winter's 'webelements' web site

General Information

Electron
Configuration		 Atomic
Number		 Relative
Atomic Mass		 Isotopes Melting
Point		 Boiling
Point		 Pauling
Eletronegativity		 Density Element class
1s22s22p63s23p3 15 30.97 31 (100%) 317 550 2.19 1.8gcm-3 Non Metal

Discovery

Phosphorus was discovered when the German Hennig Brand (1630 - 1692) prepared it from urine in 1669.

Occurrence

Phosphorus is found in phosphate rock which contains the mineral apatite which have the general formula of Ca5X(PO4)3,the most important minerals of this type are when X = OH, Cl, F. There are large deposits of these minerals in Russia, North America, the Middle East and North Africa

Common Uses

Phosphorus has several uses and comes in two main kinds red and white phosphorus:

  1. Fertilisers
  2. Detergents
  3. Food additives
  4. Nerve gas
  5. Flame retardants
  6. Insecticides
  7. Safety Matches
  8. Fireworks
  9. DNA(and other important biological functions such as bones)

Return to homepage

Author: Andrew Moore

Valid HTML 4.0!