Page 160 - The Periodic Table Book

15
P Phosphorus 15 15 16

Forms

Deep phosphate mines
make up 80% of this State: Solid
tiny Pacific island. Discovery: 1669

Phosphate mining in Nauru White phosphorus

Apatite
This is the most
common form of
the pure element. Red phosphorus

This element
remains stable
in water, but
catches fire on
contact with air.

Chunk of violet phosphorus

Human skull
All bones, including those
in the skull, are hardened
by calcium phosphate.
This purple colour
of the crystals is due
Tuna
to metal impurities.
This fish is rich This form of phosphorus
in phosphorus. is made in a laboratory by
heating red phosphorus.

Phosphorus was accidently discovered by substance, which he called phosphorus,
German alchemist Hennig Brand. In 1669, meaning “giver of light”. Phosphorus is
in his quest for the mythical Philosopher’s Stone the first element to have a discoverer
(a material some believed could turn any metal with a recorded name. It is never pure in
into gold), he boiled a large pot full of urine for nature, and occurs in different minerals.
158 days. This produced a mysterious glowing Phosphorus has several flammable,

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