To sponsor this element yourself, please contact Michelle Saxton, Dept. 1.82-2.69 Phosphorus was discovered by Brand in 1669. Phosphorus is never found free in nature, only existing in combination with minerals.
Ordinary phosphorus is a waxy white solid, that is colorless and transparent.
Phosphorus is an essential ingredient of all cell protoplasm, nervous tissue, and bones. Phosphorus is insoluble in water, burns spontaneously in air, and is very poisonous. The red modification does not ignite spontaneously, and is not as poisonous as the white variety. Red phosphorus is used in the manufacture of safety matches, pyrotechnics, pesticides, incendiary shells, smoke bombs, and tracer bullets. Recently, concentrated phosphoric acids have become very important in agriculture and farm production for the production of fertilizers.