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What are
the Properties of Phosphorus? Definition of Phosphorus
What is the definition of
Phosphorus? It is a highly reactive, poisonous, non-metallic element occurring
naturally in phosphates, especially apatite. It exists in three allotropic
forms, white , red and black.
Allotropes are forms of an
element with different physical and chemical properties occurring in two or more
crystalline forms in the same physical state.
The
Physical and
Chemical Properties are the
characteristics of a substance, like Phosphorus, which distinguishes it from any
other substance. Most common substances, like Phosphorus, exist as
States of Matter as solids, liquids, gases and plasma. Refer to the article on
Phosphorus for additional information and facts about this substance.
Phosphorus Properties
- What are the Physical Properties of Phosphorus?
What are the Physical
Properties of Phosphorus? The Physical properties of Phosphorus are the characteristics
that can be observed without changing the substance into another
substance. Physical properties are usually those that can be observed using our
senses such as color, luster, freezing point, boiling point, melting point, density, hardness and odor. The Physical Properties of Phosphorus are as follows:
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What are the
Physical Properties of Phosphorus? |
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White phosphorous
is white, waxy solid. It gives off a greenish-white glow. It
glows in the dark, is spontaneously flammable when exposed to
air and is deadly poison It does not dissolve well in
water
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Red phosphorous is
a powder which can vary in colour from orange to purple, due to
slight variations in its chemical structure. It does not
dissolve in many liquids
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Black phosphorous,
is made under high pressure, looks like graphite powder and has
the ability to conduct electricity
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Phosphorus Properties - What are the Chemical Properties of Phosphorus?
What are the Chemical
Properties of Phosphorus? They are the characteristics that
determine how it will react with other substances or change from
one substance to another. The better we know the nature of the substance the
better we are able to understand it. Chemical properties are only observable during a
chemical reaction. Reactions to substances may be brought
about by changes brought about by burning, rusting, heating, exploding, tarnishing
etc. The Chemical
Properties of Phosphorus are as follows:
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What are the Chemical Properties of Phosphorus? |
- White phosphorus exhibits the most
activity
- Red and black phosphorus are
considerably more passive in chemical reactions
- The oxidation of white phosphorus
occurs through a chain reaction. The oxidation of phosphorus is
often accompanied by chemiluminescence
- Chemiluminescence is the
emission of light during a chemical reaction that does not
produce significant quantities of heat
- Phosphorus combines directly with
all halogens
- When heated with metals, phosphorus
forms phosphides.
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Facts and
Info about Phosphorus Properties
This article
on Phosphorus properties provide facts and information about the
physical and chemical properties of Phosphorus which are useful as
homework help for chemistry students. Additional facts and
information regarding the Periodic Table and the elements may be
accessed via the Periodic Table Site Map. |
