Phosphorus
Phosphorus, the fifteenth element, is a nonmetal in the nitrogen group with 2 allotropes--
one of them red, and the other yellow/white. P has an atomic mass of 30.97376, a density of 1.82 g/cm3,
valences of + and - 5, 3, and 4, and its electron levels are 2-8-5. It was discovered in 1669 by Hennig Brand of
Germany. It melts at 317.3 K, and boils at 553 K. It is used by all living
cells, as phosphorus is a part of DNA. It can cause severe burns, and is used in matches,
fertilizers, detergents, plastic, animal feed, and drugs. Yellow/white P can ignite. After minor P
burns, death can occur suddenly. P fumes can irritate the eyes, nose, throat, and lungs. It ignites spontaneously
in moist air, and (yellow P) is a crystalline sand-like solid with a waxy appearance.
P's electron configuration is [Ne]3s2p3.
P's electronegativity is 2.19.
May 20, 1997, updated August 7, 1998.
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