Some Quick Facts about Phosphorus

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Phosphorus was discovered by Hennig Brand in 1699 by the method of extraction from urine. Its atomic number is 15 and is represented by the alphabet ‘˜P’. It is found in numerous allotropic forms in different colours including violet, red, yellow, white and black. Its atomic weight is 30.97. They are always found in combination with different elements and never freely in nature.

Some essential facts about Prosperous are:

Typical properties of the element are found to be a waxy white substance. Although, in pure form, Phosphorus is colourless and transparent.The melting and boiling point of Phosphorus is 111.5 degree Fahrenheit and 536.9 degree Fahrenheit respectively.

The name for the element had been derived from the Greek word phosphoros which means ‘˜light bearing’. It was also used to refer to the planet Venus as the star visible before sunrise.

Phosphorus is extremely combustible in nature and is capable of catching fire spontaneously in air itself. The fumes emitted are highly poisonous and must not be inhaled. It is soluble in Carbon Disuplhide but insoluble in water.

Phosphorus can be fatal in large doses, about 50 mgs, because it is highly poisonous. People engaged in activities that involve exposure to Phosphorus should ensure that it does not exceed the limit of 0.1mg/m3 per 8 hour shift during a week.

In the human body, Phosphorus can be found in all living cells, nerve tissues, DNA and RNA, cell membranes, bones and protoplasm of certain cells. It is also said to help in building of human bones and teeth and aid in binding calcium.

Phosphorus is also called a macro-mineral in comparison to other nutrients.Our body consumes fairly large amounts of it in the form of our daily diet. Food items that are rich in protein (eggs, legumes, meat, dairy products) can be consumed for the required phosphorus in our body. Whole grains, carbonated drinks and hard potatoes are also said to contain this element.

Phosphorus finds many uses in various manufacturing industries like smoke bombs, tracer bullets, pesticides, incendiary shells, pyrotechnics etc. Phosphoric acid is very useful for making super-phosphate fertilizers which is considered good for crops.

Uses of phosphorus are also found in the manufacturing of steel and phosphor bronze. Phosphorus containing compounds such as Trisodium phosphate can be utilised as a cleaning agent, prevention of boiler scale or corrosion of pipes, water softening agent etc.

Chinaware makes use of phosphorus in the form of bone-ash or for creating baking soda, scientifically termed as mono-calcium phosphate. It is also used in soft drinks.
Phosphorus was used in earlier times after its discovery for lighting street lights or sodium lamps. The glass used for these lamps were specially manufactured using this element. Nowadays it is used as an ingredient in the tip of kitchen matchsticks.

Phosphorus has 23 isotopes that have been so far discovered. The only stable form is the Phosphorus-31.

Detergents made use of phosphates in their manufacturing process until environmentalists discovered the growth of excessive algae in lakes and ponds due to factory emissions. However, many detergents continue to make use of this compound.

Although the element is a non-metal, Black phosphorus is known to conduct electricity. It resembles graphite powder.

Even though useful in many ways, phosphorous can be life threatening as well. Therefore, one should be careful about exposing themselves to the element.

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