Phosphorus Facts & Worksheets

Phosphorus (P) is necessary for all types of life on Earth. It is a nutrient that is required for the growth and development of plants and animals, upon which our food supply is dependent. It is a semitransparent, colorless, soft, waxy substance that glows in the dark at room temperature. 

See the fact file below for more information on Phosphorus, or you can download our 28-page Phosphorus worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

ETYMOLOGY AND DISCOVERY

• The name phosphorus was derived from the Greek words (phôs = light, phérō = carry), which means “light-bringer” or “light carrier” since it glows in the dark. 
• Arabian alchemists in the 12th century may also have extracted elemental phosphorus by accident, although the records are unclear. Hennig Brand, a German merchant interested in alchemy, is considered to have discovered phosphorus in 1669.
• Hennig Brand was fascinated with urine and experimented with combining it with other substances. He reduced the urine to a paste by boiling it, then heated the paste to a high temperature. He then led the hot paste’s vapors through water in the hopes that they would condense into gold. Instead, he acquired a white, waxy material that glowed in the dark. That is now known as phosphorus.
• Phosphorus remained a chemical curiosity until roughly a century later when it was discovered to be a component of bones. The digestion of bones using nitric or sulfuric acid generated phosphoric acid, which could then be distilled by burning it with charcoal.
• In the late 1800s, James Burgess Readman developed a crucial process still in use today, the electric furnace method, producing the element from phosphate rock.

CHEMICAL PROPERTIES

• Phosphorus is a vital element of life, primarily through phosphates, compounds containing the phosphate ion PO43−.
• Phosphorus exhibits allotropy, which means it has several forms in the same physical condition, the most common of which are white, red, and black.

• The phosphorus atom’s electron configuration is 1s²2s²2p⁶3s²3p³. As a result, the outer shell arrangement is similar to the one found in nitrogen, with three half-filled orbitals capable of forming a single covalent bond and an extra lone pair of electrons.
• Phosphorus, like nitrogen, displays oxidation states of +3 or -3, depending on the electronegativity of the elements with which it combines.
• Phosphorus glow is created through the oxidation of white (but not red) phosphorus, a process known as chemiluminescence.
• White phosphorous is the industrial form; it glows in the dark, is combustible when exposed to air, and is a lethal toxic. Because of tiny differences in its chemical composition, red phosphorus may range in color from orange to purple. The third form, black phosphorus, is produced under tremendous pressure, has the appearance of graphite, and, like graphite, can conduct electricity.

OCCURRENCE

• Phosphorus is around one gram per kilogram in the Earth’s crust. It cannot be found in nature in its purest form, but rather as a variety of minerals, most frequently as phosphates. According to the US Geological Survey (USGS), Arab nations hold roughly half of the world’s phosphorus reserves. Morocco holds 85% of the world’s known reserves, with minor amounts in China, Russia, Idaho, Tennessee, Florida, and Utah, as well as other places.
• Phosphate rock, which is largely composed of apatite (a group of tri-calcium phosphate minerals), is a substantial commercial source of this element.

PRODUCTION

• Animals and humans excrete approximately all the phosphorus they ingest in their foods. Historically, phosphorus in manure and waste was returned to the soil as part of a natural cycle to enhance crop production. Phosphorus is an essential component of commercial fertilizers.
• Most of the phosphorus in fertilizer originates from phosphate rock, a finite resource generated in the earth’s crust over millions of years. Ninety percent of the world’s mined phosphate rock is utilized in agricultural and food production, primarily as fertilizer, with a small amount used as animal feed as well as food additives.
• Phosphorus does not undergo redox during the wet process. For tons of phosphoric acid produced, around five tons of phosphogypsum waste are generated. The annual production of phosphogypsum is predicted to be 100 to 280 Mt.
• The use of phosphorus in pharmaceuticals, detergents, and foodstuffs requires high purity standards, which led to the creation of the thermal process. Phosphate minerals are transformed into white phosphorus in this method, which may be refined through distillation. The white phosphorus is then oxidized to phosphoric acid, which is then neutralized with a base to produce phosphate salts. The thermal process takes place in an energy-intensive submerged-arc furnace.

BIOLOGICAL AND PHYSIOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE

• Phosphorus is the second-most abundant mineral in the body after calcium. These two essential nutrients collaborate to help develop strong bones and teeth. 
• Phosphorus is also in low amounts in the body’s cells and tissues. It assists in waste removal in the kidneys and is essential in the body’s energy storage and use. 
• Phosphorus is needed for the development, maintenance, and repair of all tissues and cells, as well as the production of DNA and RNA, the genetic building blocks. Phosphorus is also needed to maintain the correct balance and use other vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin D, magnesium, iodine, and zinc.
• Phosphorus, like nitrogen, is essential for plant growth and development. Phosphorus is required for early root growth and accelerates plant maturity. In many ecosystems, phosphorus is a limiting nutrient, which means that the availability of phosphorus affects the rate of development of many organisms.
• Phosphorus enters the ocean by leaching and runoff, where it dissolves in the water and enters marine food webs. Phosphorus in the water promotes the growth of microorganisms and tiny aquatic plants known as phytoplankton, which form the foundation of the marine food chain. Some phosphorus ends up on the ocean floor as sediment.

USES

• Phosphorus is a vital mineral for humans and is included in the Dietary Reference Intake (DRI). Food-grade phosphoric acid (additive E338) is utilized to acidify foods and drinks like colas and jams, giving them a tangy or sour taste. Phosphoric acid also serves as a preservative.
• Phosphorus is typically utilized in the production of organophosphorus compounds. Organophosphorus compounds have a wide range of uses, including plasticizers, flame retardants, insecticides, extraction agents, and water treatment.
• Red phosphorus is essential in the production of matchbook strikers, safety matches, flares,  pharmaceutical grade and street methamphetamine, and cap gun caps.
• Phosphorus is an essential plant nutrient, and the vast majority of phosphorus production is in concentrated phosphoric acids for agricultural fertilizers, which contain up to 70% P₂O₅. Artificial phosphate fertilization is important; it is involved in energy exchanges, root and stem strength, photosynthesis, root extension, seed and flower production, and other critical activities affecting overall plant health and genetics.
• Phosphorus is also a significant component in creating steel, phosphor bronze, and various other products. Phosphorus is added to metallic copper during the smelting process to react with oxygen, which is present as an impurity in copper, producing phosphorus-containing copper (CuOFP) alloys with stronger hydrogen embrittlement resistance than regular copper.
• In military applications, white phosphorus is used in incendiary bombs, smoke-screening devices like smoke pots and smoke bombs, and tracer ammunition. It’s also found in an old M34 White Phosphorus US hand grenade. This multipurpose grenade was primarily used for signaling, smoke screens, and inflammation; it could also cause severe burns and psychologically impact opponents. The use of white phosphorus in military applications is prohibited under international law.

PRECAUTIONS

• Too much phosphate can cause kidney damage,  diarrhea, osteoporosis, and calcification (hardening) of organs and soft tissue, which can interfere with the body’s capacity to utilize iron, calcium, magnesium, and zinc. Phosphate shortages might also occur. They are the result of excessive medication usage. Phosphate deficiency also causes health concerns.
• White phosphorus is the most harmful kind of phosphorus to humans. White phosphorus is very dangerous and can be fatal in many circumstances. White phosphorus is extremely dangerous since it burns in the air and releases phosphoric acid residue. Chronic white phosphorus poisoning causes “phossy jaw,” or jaw necrosis. White phosphorus is poisonous, causing severe liver damage and possibly causing “Smoking Stool Syndrome.”
• Phosphorus exposure in the workplace can occur by inhaling, ingestion, eye and skin contact. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has specified the phosphorus exposure limit in the workplace at 0.1 mg/m³ for an 8-hour workday. Phosphorus is immediately hazardous to life and health at levels of 5 mg/m³.

Phosphorus Worksheets

This fantastic bundle includes everything you need to know about Phosphorus across 28 in-depth pages. These ready-to-use worksheets are perfect for teaching kids about Phosphorus. Phosphorus (P) is necessary for all types of life on Earth. It is a nutrient that is required for the growth and development of plants and animals, upon which our food supply is dependent. It is a semitransparent, colorless, soft, waxy substance that glows in the dark at room temperature

Complete List of Included Worksheets

Below is a list of all the worksheets included in this document.

1. Phosphorus Facts 
2. P-Profile
3. Figgerit Out!
4. White vs Red
5. Containing Phosphorus
6. We Need It!
7. Phosphorus Matters
8. Compare Me
9. Share the Danger
10. Read Up On
11. Let’s See Now

Frequently Asked Questions

What is phosphorus?

Phosphorus is a chemical element with the symbol P and atomic number 15. It is a non-metal and is located in the third row of the periodic table.

What are some common uses of phosphorus?

Phosphorus has many important uses, including being a key component in fertilizers, which are essential for crop growth. It is also used in the production of detergents, insecticides, and other chemicals. Additionally, phosphorus is used in the manufacture of semiconductors, and in the production of steel and other metals.

Where is phosphorus found in nature?

Phosphorus is found in many different minerals, including apatite, which is the most common source of phosphorus used in fertilizer production. It is also found in rocks, soils, and sediments. In addition, phosphorus is a key component of DNA and is found in all living organisms.

What are the health effects of phosphorus deficiency or excess?

Phosphorus is an essential nutrient for humans, and deficiency can lead to a variety of health problems, including bone loss, weakness, and fatigue. However, excessive intake of phosphorus can also be harmful and may lead to kidney damage and other health issues.

How is phosphorus regulated in the environment?

Phosphorus is an important nutrient for plant growth, but excessive phosphorus can lead to environmental problems such as eutrophication, which is the excessive growth of algae in bodies of water. To regulate phosphorus levels, many countries have implemented laws and regulations to limit the amount of phosphorus in fertilizers and other products, and to control the discharge of phosphorus into the environment. Additionally, methods such as conservation tillage and cover cropping can help reduce the loss of phosphorus from agricultural fields.

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