 Discovery Information |
| Who:
Hennig Brand
|
| When: 1669 |
| Where: Germany |
|
| Name Origin |
| Greek: phos (light) and phoros (bearer). |
|
| Sources |
| Due to its high reactivity, it is never found as a free element in nature. Found most often in phosphate rock, which is partly made of apatite.. |
|
| Uses |
| Used in the production of fertilizers, fireworks, matches, pesticides, toothpaste and detergents. White phosphrous is used in miltary applications as incendiary bombs and for smoke screens. Calcium phosphate is used in the production of fine china. |
|
| Notes |
| Phosphorus exists in three
allotropic
forms: white, red, and black. The most common are red and white phosphorus. White phosphorus burns on contact with air and on exposure to heat or light. |
| Phosphorus is a key element in all known forms of life. Living cells also utilize phosphate to transport cellular energy via adenosine triphosphate (ATP). An average person contains a little less than 1 kg of phosphorus, about three quarters of which is present in bones and teeth in the form of apatite. phosphate salts are used by animals to stiffen their bones. |
| Just 50mg of phosphorus is considered a lethal dose. The
allotrope
white phosphorus should be kept under water at all times as it presents a significant fire hazard due to its extreme reactivity to atmospheric oxygen, and it should only be manipulated with forceps since contact with skin can cause severe burns. |
