Periodic Table of Elements

02/05/09

P

Phosphorus

Atomic Number

15

Atomic Symbol

P

	Name	Phosphorus
	Meaning	Name is from the Greek 'phosphoros' meaning 'bringing light'

Group

Non-metals

Atomic Weight

30.973761

Density, g/cubic cm at STP

1.82

Melting Point, °C

44.1

Boiling Point, °C, 1 atm

280 (white)

Naturally Occurring Isotopes

P-31

Discoverer

Brand

Year

1669

Ionization Energy, eV

10.4867

Configuration

[Ne] 3s2 3p3

Description

Different allotropes are colorless, red, or yellow

Information Phosphorus is a highly flammable element used in matches. It has several different allotropes, the best known of which are the highly reactive and toxic white form, and a less reactive, non-toxic red powder. Joseph's Element Collection Joseph has not yet obtained a sample of Phosphorus. References: Holden, Norman E. (March 30, 2004). "History of the origin of the chemical elements and their discoverers." National Nuclear Data Center. Retrieved October 7, 2005 from http://www.nndc.bnl.gov/content/elements.html "List of elements by boiling point." (September 22, 2005). Wikipedia. Retrieved October 9, 2005 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_elements_by_boiling_point "List of elements by density." (September 22, 2005). Wikipedia. Retrieved October 9, 2005 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_elements_by_density "List of elements by melting point." (September 22, 2005). Wikipedia. Retrieved October 9, 2005 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_elements_by_melting_point "NIST chemistry webBook." (2005). National Institute of Standards and Technology. Retrieved October 6, 2005 from http://webbook.nist.gov/chemistry/ Zucker, M.A.; Kishore, A. R.; Sukumar, R.; and Dragoset, R. A. (July 2005). "Elemental data index."  National Institute of Standards and Technology. Retrieved October 7, 2005 from http://physics.nist.gov/PhysRefData/Elements/cover.html