Back in the 17th century, the German chemist Hennig Brandt chose urine to isolate elemental phosphorous. In his experiment, he boiled hundreds of litres of urine down to a thick syrup until a red oil distilled up from it. He collected the oil and cooled down the urine.

The periodic table of elements arranges all of the known chemical elements in an informative array. Elements are arranged from left to right and top to bottom in order of increasing atomic number. Order generally coincides with increasing atomic mass.

The chemical elements are arranged in order of increasing atomic number. The horizontal rows are called periods and the vertical columns are called groups. Elements in the same group have similar chemical properties. An example of a group in the periodic table is the alkali metal group.

Why is the periodic table called the periodic table? It is called the periodic table because of the way the elements are arranged. You’ll notice they’re in rows and columns. The horizontal rows (which go from left to right) are called ‘periods’ and the vertical columns (going from up to down) are called ‘groups’.

Phosphorus can form a P4 white phosphorus tetrahedron because it can form three bonds, while sulfur can only form two bonds. The most stable allotrope of phosphorus, red phosphorus, is a cross-linked, polymeric chain of atoms.

Phosphorus is not found uncombined in nature, but is widely found in compounds in minerals. An important source is phosphate rock, which contains the apatite minerals and is found in large quantities in the USA and elsewhere. This produces phosphorus as a vapour, which is then collected under water.

However, swallowing even a few milligrams of elemental white phosphorus could cause severe diarrhoea with loss of blood, damage to the liver, kidneys, stomach, intestines, and circulatory system, and even cause death. Just handling white phosphorus could be dangerous too, as this could result in severe skin burns.

Too much phosphorus can cause increased growth of algae and large aquatic plants, which can result in decreased levels of dissolved oxygen– a process called eutrophication. High levels of phosphorus can also lead to algae blooms that produce algal toxins which can be harmful to human and animal health.

The main function of phosphorus is in the formation of bones and teeth. It plays an important role in how the body uses carbohydrates and fats. It is also needed for the body to make protein for the growth, maintenance, and repair of cells and tissues.

Skin/Eye Contact: Red phosphorous is not harmful to skin or mucuous membranes. White phosphorus may cause deep, slow healing burns.

Phosphorus is an essential element for plant life, but when there is too much of it in water, it can speed up eutrophication (a reduction in dissolved oxygen in water bodies caused by an increase of mineral and organic nutrients) of rivers and lakes.

Too much phosphorus can decrease the amount of calcium in your body, leading to bone loss. It can also impair your body’s ability to use other minerals, such as iron, zinc, and magnesium. Phosphoric acid is dangerous if you come into contact with it as a chemical substance.

White phosphorus is highly reactive, and spontaneously ignites at about 30°C in moist air. It is usually stored under water, to prevent exposure to the air.

Phosphorus is a very reactive non-metal. It reacts with air and catches fire. However, it does not react with water. Hence, it can stored in water as it wont react with water.