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What is Phosphorus?
Phosphorus in Periodic Table
Phosphorus is a chemical element or member of group 15 in the periodic table with atomic number 15 and the symbol P. It is a member of the nitrogen family in the periodic table that lies below nitrogen and above arsenic.
The uncombined form of phosphorus is not found in nature but combined forms are widely found in minerals. Phosphorus is an essential part of all living things (plants and animals) and forms the sugar-phosphate backbone of DNA and RNA molecules.
Properties
Phosphorus has two main forms such as white phosphorus and red phosphorus. White phosphorus is a poisonous waxy solid and contact with the skin can cause severe burns but red phosphorus is an amorphous non-toxic solid.
Phosphorus is a member of group 15 elements with three valence electrons in its outer quantum cell.
- Element Symbol: P
- Atomic Number: 15
- Atomic Weight: 30.974
- State at 20°C: Solid
- Appearance: White, red, and violet are waxy, and black is metallic-looking
- Melting point: 44.15°C, 111.47°F, 317.3 K
- Boiling point: 280.5°C, 536.9°F, 553.7 K
- Density (g/cm3): 1.823 (white)
