Phosphorus is a nonmetallic chemical element that can exist in several different forms. The chemical symbol for phosphorus is P, its atomic number is 15, and its atomic weight is 30.975. Phosphorus was first prepared by the German alchemist Hennig Brandt in 1669; in the course of his search for the philosopher's stone he obtained from a residue of evaporated urine a white solid that glowed in the dark and ignited spontaneously in the air. The name phosphorus is Greek for "light-bringing". The name at that time was used for any substance that glows of itself, and was eventually given to this element. Phosphorus does not occur in elemental form in nature; it is found most commonly in apatite minerals such as fluorapatite.

Their are at least ten forms of the element that are known, occurring within red, white, and black phosphorus categories or as mixtures of them. White phosphorus consists of molecular P(4) a

A chemical property found in phosphorus is its flammability. Also, it glows in the dark when exposed to air. Phosphorus can change forms by the changing of temperature. Phosphorus is also very toxic. The chemical properties change depending on what form of phosphorus is used.

1638-86-4 *Other Names: Diethyl phenylphosphonite; Diethoxyphenylphosphine

Phosphoric acid is the most common acid of phosphorus. Industry uses it to make inorganic phosphate compounds. Phosphoric acid is also used in fertilizers, soft drinks, and flavoring syrups.

Some of the physical properties of phosphorus are its various colors as listed above. The most common colors are white, red, and black. In the white form it is a waxlike substance. In the red form of phosphorus it is a brownish-red powder and the black form resembles the mineral granite and is flaky.

nd can exist in an alpha form, which is stable at room temperature, and a beta form, stable below -78 deg C. White phosphorus is a waxlike substance, very toxic and extremely flammable. When it is exposed to air in the dark, it emits a greenish light and gives off white fumes. It can ignite spontaneously.

*Other Names: Phosphorous pentabromide; Phosphorus pentabromide; Phosphorane, pentabromo-; Pentabromophosphorane; Pentabromophosphorus; Phosphoric bromide;

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