Phosphorus

Sulfur and Phosphorus are in matches and processed foods. The symbol for phosphorus is P and its atomic number is 15. Phosphorus is a multivalent nonmetal of the nitrogen group. Elemental phosphorus exists in two major forms—white phosphorus and red phosphorus—but due to its high reactivity, phosphorus is never found as a free element on Earth. As phosphate, it is a component of DNA, RNA, ATP, and also the phospholipids that form all cell membranes. __**Uses for Phosphorus**__ HEALTH: In living beings, phosphosrus is found in bones, teeth, nucleic acids (DNA and RNA), in the energy carriers (such as ATP), lipids, proteins and enzymes. This shows the importance of phosphorus to the health of body in general and bones and teeth in particular. Phosphorus is not known to be toxic in the human diet and there are no known phosphorus deficencies. FIRE STARTER: Since phosphorus catches fire readily, it is used in all matches; earlier white phosphorus was used and in today's "safety matches" red phosphorus is used. The red phosphorus is safe because it is less volatile and less poisonous (0.1 g of white phosphorus can kill a person!) and eliminates the accidental fire as it catches fire much less readily. FIRE STOPPER: One interesting irony is that phosphorus used to make fires (in its elemental form) is used to stop or reduce the hazards of fire (in the form of chemicals derived from it). Phosphorus compounds are among the best flame-retardants for many flammable materials; many are used as plasticizers and flame-retardants as two-in-one. Since more and more materials are made of synthetic polymers (which are mostly easily combustible) and our life is very closely associated with fire (or electricity which can give heat or fire), the use and need of fire-resistant materials is very high. In the synthetic polymers, paints and protective coatings for wood, the plasticizer/flame-retardant (& fire-resistance) phosphorus compounds are very useful. The phosphorus compounds used for this purpose (additives) can be small molecules or polymer themselves. LUBRICANTS: High temperature lubricants are many times organo phosphates with good lubrication, thermal stablility and fire-resistant properties. SURFACTANTS, CLEANERS: This use is being reduced at very high rate.



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Phosphorus is usually a shade of yellow in color. Phosphorus has a melting point of 44.1 degrees C-317.25 degrees K. Phosphorus has a boiling point of 280.0 degress C-553.15 degress K.

Used in phosphate groups in ATP

White phosphorus ignites spontaneously in air. Red phosphorus needs friction to ignite it, hence its use in matches. Red phosphorus is made by heating white phosphorus to 300 degrees Celsius in the absence of air.
 * Interesting Fact About Phosphorus:**

The name //Phosphorus// in Ancient Greece was the name for the planet [|Venus] and is derived from the [|Greek] words (φως = light, φέρω = carry), which roughly translates as light-bringer or light carrier. [|[10]] (In [|Greek mythology] and tradition, Augerinus (Αυγερινός = morning star, in use until today), Hesperus or Hesperinus (΄Εσπερος or Εσπερινός or Αποσπερίτης = evening star, in use until today) and Eosphorus (Εωσφόρος = dawnbearer, not in use for the planet after Christianity) are close homologues, and also associated with Phosphorus-the-planet). According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the correct spelling of the element is **phosphorus**. The word **phosphorous** is the adjectival form of the P3+ valence: so, just as [|sulfur] forms sulfur**ous** and sulfur**ic** compounds, phosphor**us** forms phosphor**ous** compounds (e.g., [|phosphorous acid] ) and P5+ valence phosphor**ic** compounds (e.g., [|phosphoric acids and phosphates] ).

Precautions
Organic compounds of phosphorus form a wide class of materials, many are required for life, but some are extremely toxic. Fluorophosphate esters are among the most potent neurotoxins known. A wide range of organophosphorus compounds are used for their toxicity to certain organisms as pesticides ( herbicides, insecticides , fungicides , etc.) and weaponised as nerve agents. Most inorganic phosphates are relatively nontoxic and essential nutrients.

The white phosphorus allotrope presents a significant hazard because it ignites in air and produces phosphoric acid residue. Chronic white phosphorus poisoning leads to necrosis of the jaw called "phossy jaw". Ingestion of white phosphorus may cause a medical condition known as "Smoking Stool Syndrome".