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Atomic symbol: P |
Atomic number: 15 |
Atomic weight: 30.97376 |
Atomic volume: 17.0 cm3/mol |
Density: 1.82 g/cm3 |
Period Number: 3 |
Group number: 15 |
Group name: Non-Metal, Nitrogen group |
Element classification: Non-metal |
Phase at room temperature: Solid |
Melting Point: 317.3 K |
Boiling point: 553.7 K |
Heat of fusion: 0.657 kJ/mol |
Heat of vaporization: 12.129 kJ/mol |
Ionization Energy: 10.487 eV |
1st ionization energy: 1011.7 kJ/mole |
2nd ionization energy: 1903.2 kJ/mole |
3rd ionization energy: 2911.9 kJ/mole |
Electronegativity: 2.19 |
Electron affinity: 72.07 kJ/mole |
Specific heat: 0.77 J/gK |
Heat atomization: 315 kJ/mole atoms |
Shells: 2,8,5 |
Electron Shell Configuration: [Ne] 3s2 3p3 |
Minimum oxidation number: -3 |
Maximum oxidation number: 5 |
Minimum common oxidation number: -3 |
Maximum common oxidation no: 5 |
Appearance & Characteristics |
Structure:: special: P4 tetrahedra |
Color: white-yellow |
Hardness: 0.5 mohs |
Toxicity: yes |
Characteristics: (P4) pyrophoric, 15 forms |
Uses: fertilizer, detergents |
Reaction with air: vigorous,=>P4O10, ignites |
Reaction with 6M HCl: none |
Reaction with 15M HNO3: mild, =>NOx |
Reaction with 6M NaOH: mild, =>PH3, may ignite |
Number of isotopes: 1 |
Oxide(s): P4O10 P4O6 |
Hydride(s): PH3 P2H4 + more |
Chloride(s): PCl3 PCl5 P2Cl4 |
Atomic Radius: 110 pm |
Ionic radius (1- ion): pm |
Ionic radius (1+ ion): pm |
Ionic radius (2- ion): pm |
Ionic radius (2+ ion): pm |
Ionic radius (3+ ion): 58 pm |
Thermal conductivity: 0.24 J/m-sec-deg |
Electrical conductivity: 0 1/mohm-cm |
Polarizability: 3.6 A^3 |
Source: Apatite (phosphate) |
Relative abundance solar system: 4.017 log |
Abundance earth's crust: 3 log |
Estimated crustal abundance: 1.05×103 milligrams per kilogram |
Estimated oceanic abundance: 6×10-2 milligrams per liter |
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(Gr. phosphoros: light bearing; ancient name for the planet Venus when appearing before sunrise) Brand discovered phosphorus in 1669 by preparing it from urine. |
Never found free in nature, it is widely distributed in combination with minerals. Phosphate rock, which contains the mineral apatite, an impure tri-calcium phosphate, is an important source of the element. Large deposits are found in Russia, in Morocco, and in Florida, Tennessee, Utah, Idaho, and elsewhere. |
Phosphorus exists in four or more allotropic forms: white (or yellow), red, and black (or violet). Ordinary phosphorus is a waxy white solid; when pure it is colorless and transparent. White phosphorus has two modifications: alpha and beta with a transition temperature at -3.80C.
It is insoluble in water, but soluble in carbon disulfide. It takes fire spontaneously in air, burning to the pentoxide.
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In recent years, concentrated phosphoric acids, which may contain as much as 70% to 75% P2O5 content, have become of great importance to agriculture and farm production. World-wide demand for fertilizers has caused record phosphate production. Phosphates are used in the production of special glasses, such as those used for sodium lamps.
Bone-ash --calcium phosphate-- is used to create fine chinaware and to produce mono-calcium phosphate, used in baking powder.
Phosphorus is also important in the production of steels, phosphor bronze, and many other products. Trisodium phosphate is important as a cleaning agent, as a water softener, and for preventing boiler scale and corrosion of pipes and boiler tubes.
Phosphorus is also an essential ingredient of all cell protoplasm, nervous tissue, and bones.
Title Picture: Alchemical symbol for phosphorus.
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