Phosphorus

Phosphorus

Phosphorus in a red, powder form. (

      The element that I believe is the most important, is phosphorus.  Phosphorus is the sixth most abundant element in the human body, and is essential for all living organisms.  Not only is it crucial for life, but it is used in many other products, such as fertilizers, fireworks, toothpaste, detergents and matches.  Phosphorus can be found in many different forms such as a red powder, a white, waxy solid or colourless and transparent when pure.  Red, powdery phosphorus is a very reactive element in the air, which is why it is usually stored in water.  This element is used in matches and fireworks because of how reactive it is.  Phosphorus is very important for our health and it is necessary to have a proper amount of it.  It is found in milk, grains, and protein-filled foods such as cheese, beans and fish.  In the human body, this element works alongside calcium, in order to complete many tasks.  A healthy amount of phosphorus is needed in order to remain healthy, since it does so many things in the human body.  It helps to build strong bones and teeth, it plays a very important role in nucleic acids and cell membranes (healthline,2015), it helps filter out waste in the kidneys and plays a great role in the way that the body uses and stores energy.  Phosphorus is crucial for growth, maintenance and repair of cells and tissue, and for the production of things such as DNA and RNA, which are the factors that make us who we are.

Phosphorus was discovered in 1669 by a man named Hennig Brand, in Germany.  Hennig Brand was in the army in his early years, however he soon married a wealthy woman, and had enough money to pursue his passion; to find the Philosopher's Stone.  He discovered the element while doing a test, which he found in a book.  He believed that by doing this

test, he would find the substance that would be able to turn basic metals into gold.  It is believed that he would take urine, and evaporate it.  Once it was evaporated, there was a black residue left, and it was left to sit for a few months.  After a few months, the residue was heated, and a red oil formed on top.  He removed the red oil and left the black substance to cool down in a cellar.  Once both substances were cooled, they were mixed together and distilled.  The final mixture was exposed to oxygen, and upon exposure, it became very bright and caught on fire.  Hennig had discovered the white, waxy version of phosphorus.  He called it phosphoros which means “bringer of light” in Greek.  

Phosphorus is the 15th element, located on the periodic table in period 3 and group 15.  Its symbol on the periodic table is a P. It is located in group 15, as it needs 3 valence electrons in order to become stable, similar to the other elements in that group, including nitrogen and arsenic.  It has 15 protons, 16 neutrons and 15 electrons.  There are 3 energy levels in a phosphorus atom, with 5 valence electrons.  Phosphorus is a non-metal, so it can create both ionic and molecular compounds.  Some examples of compounds which this element can create are calcium phosphide (C3P2), phosphorus trichloride (PCl3), phosphorus pentasulfide (PS5).

Its physical properties include:

White, waxy:

Density-1.8g/cm3

Melting Point- 44.1 ℃

Boiling Point- 280℃

insoluble in water

phosphorescent

Red, powder:

insoluble in most liquids

Density- 2.34g/cm3

Its chemical properties include:

very reactive when exposed to oxygen

combines with metals to form compounds known as phosphides (Advameg, 2016)

Phosphorus Cycle

Phosphorus is naturally present in the Earth in the form of phosphates. It is found in certain types of rocks that are found in the ground, as well as soil and water. Phosphorus is needed for plant growth (another reason why it is so important), however there is only a very small amount that is naturally in soil, which is why farmers often use fertilizers. Animals take in phosphates trough the plants they eat, which is how this element naturally works its way through the food chain.

Over time, phosphates naturally weather away due to rain, and they make their way to the top of the soil, and are absorbed by the roots of plants, or are carried into bodies of water, where they eventually end up in the bodies of marine life. When a plant takes in the phosphates and is then eaten by an animal, the remains of the plant are decomposed by bacteria and fungi, and the remaining phosphates work their way back into the soil. When an animal is eaten by another animal, its remains are decomposed of by bacteria and fungi, similar to plants, and the remaining phosphates also work their way back into the soil of the Earth. This cycle repeats itself.

Interesting Facts:

Pure phosphorus is colourless. (Stephanie Pappas, 2016)

Meteorites may have brought phosphorus to the Earth. (Stephanie Pappas, 2016)

Phosphorus Video

Overall, phosphorus is a very unique, and essential element for our lives.  It provides us with many health benefits, and things that we need to live.  It has very special properties, which is what makes it so important to have on this Earth.  Without phosphorus, we would not be able to grow, nor would we even be able to exist as human beings.  

References:

 "Facts About Phosphorus." LiveScience. Purch, n.d. Web. 12 Dec. 2016.  @healthline. "How Your Body Uses Phosphorus." Healthline. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Dec. 2016.  "How One Man's Attempt to Create the Philosopher's Stone Out of Human Urine Led to the First Element Discovered Since Ancient Times." Today I Found Out. N.p., 28 May 2014. Web. 12 Dec. 2016.  "The Phosphorus Cycle." Sciencelearn Hub. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Dec. 2016.   "Phosphorus Element Facts." Chemicool. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Dec. 2016.  "PHOSPHORUS." Phosphorus, Chemical Element - Reaction, Water, Uses, Elements, Metal, Gas, Number, Name. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Dec. 2016.  "Phosphorus." Properties of Matter Element Card: Phosphorus. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Dec. 2016.  "Phosphorus." University of Maryland Medical Center. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Dec. 2016.  Studios, Andrew Rader. "Cycling Phosphorus." Geography4Kids.com: BGC Cycles: Phosphorus Cycle. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Dec. 2016.  Studios, Andrew Rader. "PHOS-PHO-RUS." Chem4Kids.com: Phosphorus: General Info and Everyday Items. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Dec. 2016.  "Why Pee Is Cool - Entry #4 - "PeePee Portal to Phosphorus" or "What the Alchemists Did Right"" Science Minus Details. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Dec. 2016.  Winter, Mark. "Phosphorus: The Essentials." Phosphorus»the Essentials [WebElements Periodic Table]. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Dec. 2016.