Phosphorus is a nonmetal with an atomic number of 15. It was discovered in 1669 by Hennig Brand in his attempt to create the Philosopher's Stone. Phosphorus exists naturally as a solid and is found in DNA, RNA, and fertilizer. It comes in red, white, black, and violet forms and has uses in match heads, explosives, and as an essential element in living organisms and fertilizer.

1. Phosphorus
Aidan Hardekopf

2. General info li ck
m e
C
• Atomic number: 15
• Classification: Nonmetal
• Symbol: P
Red phosphorus powder.
• Amount of protons/neutrons/electrons: 15/16/15 respectively
• Melting and boiling points: 44.2 and 280.5 degrees Celsius
• Colored in red, white, black and a rare violet.
• Natural phase of matter: solid
• Atomic mass: 30.973...

3. History of phosphorus
• Name origin: In Greek, "phôs" is light and "phoros" is bearer.
Therefore, phosphorous is the "light bearer.
• Discovered by Hennig Brand in 1669 in attempt to create the
Philosopher's Stone. The stone is said to turn all solids into
gold (which is absolutely unreal.) Brand wanted to keep the
element a secret, until he told a few other scientists. Even
Robert Boyle got his hands on the element. It wasn't until the
late 18th century that it was discovered for use in fertilizer.
• Phosphorus is known to be found in DNA and RNA ever
since the genetic code's existence.
Depiction of
r e! Brand
he discovering
li ck phosphorus
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4. Density fight!!!
Phosphorus vs. Sulfur
Phosphorus (P) Sulfur
200
Density (g/cm cubed)
150
100
50
0
0 25 50 75 100
Grams of element

5. Uses for phosphorus
Red phosphorus is used in match
heads. You can see the texture of a
White phosphorus is
match head next to the matches.
!
used in some Fertilizer;
explosives, including phosphorus is
rockets. This caused known for being
an uproar because of essential to
safety concerns. Watch a video of a
DNA and to a
white phosphorus
explosion
lesser extent
fertilizer.

6. Phosphorus' crystal
structure
Red phosphorus Black phosphorus

7. Did you know...?
• When Hennig Brand discovered phosphorus,
he made it by boiling remains of boiled urine.
• Hamburg, the town this element was
discovered in, was bombed with caustic white
phosphorus explosives. The city erupted in
flames.
Background: Hamburg in the 19th century.

8. The Element Boxes
It became apparent that elements became the subject of
interest in NPMM. Therefore, each eighth grade student
decided to create an element box, containing basic
information about each element. Each one comes with a
Keynote presentation and video (hidden in a QR code) of
each element. Mine is about phosphorus, an element you
have learned has an abundance of uses, an odd history
and one heck of an explosion. Each box also has artifacts,
which symbolize what the element is used for.