At number 15 and with the chemical symbol P, we find Phosphorus. In the periodic table Phosphorus sits below Nitrogen. Like Nitrogen, Phosphorus has 3 electrons in its outer shell and therefore reacts similarly to nitrogen.
It is a non-metal and like many other elements it is not found as an element in nature.
Elemental Phosphorus forms many different crystal structures and each structure has its own colour. White, Red and Violet Phosphorus are 3 such forms. We found previously that carbon exists in a number of different forms and that the different carbon allotropes look and feel very different. This is also the case for Phosphorus.
Different allotropes of Phosphorus
Phosphorus was discovered by a German alchemist when he was trying to turn urine into gold. Instead of gold he ended up with a white material which glowed in the dark and when lit, burned very brightly.
Because Phosphorus can glow in the dark it is often used on the faces of watches so you can tell the time in the dark.
Because it can burn so well, it is used on the rough part of match boxes that is used to strike matches on.
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