Phosphorus, By Ben Levitt by BENJAMIN LEVITT

Phosphorus

benjaminlevitt2 — 2013-12-11 17:04:48 UTC

QUICK FACTS:

Chemical Symbol: P

Chemical Name: Phosphorus

Atomic Number: 15

Atomic Mass: 30.974 AMU

Protons: 15

Electrons: 15

Neutrons: 16

Melting Point: 44.1 C

Boiling Point: 280.0 C

Normal Phase: Solid

Classifications: Non-Metal

Period: 3

Group: 3

Description

benjaminlevitt2 — 2013-12-11 17:26:26 UTC

Phosphorus is mined out of the phosphorus rock, and is white at its most basic stage. White phosphorus is extremely poisonous, and is likely to spontaneously combust when coming in contact with air. For this reason, white phosphorus is stored under water at all times. At 250 degrees Celsius, white phosphorus becomes red phosphorus. Red phosphorus is relatively safe for humans and can be returned to white phosphorus if repeatedly friction heated. Red phosphorus is used to make matches, fireworks, and other explosives and flammables.

Bibliography

benjaminlevitt2 — 2013-12-13 17:07:33 UTC

Nitrogen to Phosphorus. (1996). Danbury, CT: Grolier Education.

Where else can you find phosphorus?. (n.d.). Chem4Kids.com: Phosphorus: Say It. Retrieved December 18, 2013, from: http://www.chem4kids.com/files/elements/015_speak.html

Discovery

benjaminlevitt2 — 2013-12-16 16:39:50 UTC

Discovered by Hennig Brand in 1669 when he "evaporated urine and heated the residue until it was red hot, whereupon phosphorous vapor distilled which he collected by condensing it in water."

rsc.org (2005)

Uses For Phosphorus

benjaminlevitt2 — 2013-12-16 16:54:11 UTC

Common uses for Phosphorus include:

Baking Powder

Fertilizer

Fireworks

China Dishes

Glass

benjaminlevitt2 — 2014-01-08 16:58:05 UTC