How did phosphate get its name?
Phosphorus gets its name from the Greek word „phosphoros“ meaning „bringer of light.“ Henning Brandt picked this name because the element glowed in the dark. The only stable phosphorus isotope is phosphorus-31. It has twenty-three known isotopes.
What is phosphorus compound name?
phosphate
The most prevalent compounds of phosphorus are derivatives of phosphate (PO43−), a tetrahedral anion. Phosphate is the conjugate base of phosphoric acid, which is produced on a massive scale for use in fertilisers.
What is the history of phosphorus?
Phosphorus was first made by Hennig Brandt in Hamburg in Germany in 1669. When he evaporated urine and heated the residue until it was red hot. Glowing phosphorus vapour came off and he condensed it under water. And for more than 100 years most phosphorus was made this way.
What is a phosphorus ion called?
Phosphide, any of a class of chemical compounds in which phosphorus is combined with a metal. The phosphide ion is P3−, and phosphides of almost every metal in the periodic table are known.
Is phosphate harmful to humans?
White phosphorus is extremely toxic to humans, while other forms of phosphorus are much less toxic. Chronic (long-term) exposure to white phosphorus in humans results in necrosis of the jaw, termed „phossy jaw.“ EPA has classified white phosphorus as a Group D, not classifiable as to human carcinogenicity.
How do humans use phosphorus?
Function. 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.
Is white phosphorus poisonous?
White phosphorus is used in the manufacture of munitions, pyrotechnics, explosives, smoke bombs, in artificial fertilizers, and rodenticides. White phosphorus is extremely toxic to humans, while other forms of phosphorus are much less toxic.
What is unique about phosphorus?
Phosphorus is a poor conductor of heat and electricity, except black phosphorus. All types of phosphorus are solid at room temperature. The white form (sometimes called yellow phosphorus) resembles wax, the red and violet forms are noncrystalline solids, while the black allotrope resembles graphite in pencil lead.
Why is phosphorus written p4?
Answer: Phosphorus can form a P4 white phosphorus tetrahedron because it can form three bonds. It can make a tetra-atomic P4 molecule by sharing valency electrons with three other P atoms to complete its octet. …
What phosphorus smells like?
garlic
Phosphorus, white, dry or under water or in solution appears as a soft waxy solid with a sharp pungent odor similar to garlic.
Is phosphorus bad for skin?
SKIN EXPOSURE: White phosphorus causes severely painful, partial (second degree) to full thickness (third degree) burns, which have a characteristic yellow color and garlic-like odor.
Why is white phosphorus banned?
If on the other hand the toxic properties of white phosphorus are specifically intended to be used as a weapon, that, of course, is prohibited, because the way the convention is structured or applied, any chemicals used against humans or animals that cause harm or death through the toxic properties of the chemical are …