Phosphorus

Phosphorus I will explain the element of the periodic table with the atomic number 15: Phosphorus. • Description: Name: Phosphorus Symbol: P Origin of the name: From the Greek words phôs (light) and phoros (bearer) means light bearing, the ancient name for Venus. Discoverer: Henning Brand (German) Date of discovery: 1669 Place of discovery: It may be discovered in Greece and Rome and then forgotten. But then in 1669 it was discover in Germany. Electronic configuration: 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p3 Atomic Radius: 100 pm Electron Affinity: 72.07 kJ mol-1 Electronegativity (Pauling scale): 2.19 The first recorded production of elemental phosphorus was in 1669 by the German alchemist Henning Brand through a preparation of urine. Working in Hamburg, Brand attempted to create the fabled Philosopher's stone through the distillation of some salts by evaporating urine, and in the process produced a white material that glowed in the dark and burned brilliantly.

• Uses: There are many uses for phosphorus, for example: • It is an essential plant nutrient, so the main use of phosphorus is in the production of fertilizers. • It is also important in steel production, in the making of phosphor bronze, and in many other related products. • Phosphorus is used in the manufacture of safety matches (red phosphorus), pyrotechnics and incendiary shells

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Economic Impact:

Phosphorus mainly impact in economy is in terms of agriculture and farm, it has become a source for the production of fertilizers. World-wide demand for fertilizers has caused record phosphate production. Sources: http://periodic.lanl.gov/elements/15.html http://www.chemicool.com/elements/phosphorus.html http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phosphorus

Sandra Muñoz