Phosphorus (P)

Phosphorus is essential for life, forming part of DNA and bones. It was discovered from boiling urine.

Properties of Phosphorus

Atomic number

15

Category

Nonmetal

Atomic mass

30.974 u

Electron configuration

[Ne] 3s² 3p³

Melting point

317.3 K (44.15 °C)

Boiling point

553.7 K (280.55 °C)

Density

1.82 g/cm³

Electronegativity (Pauling)

2.19

Appearance

Waxy white, red, or black solid

Discovered by

Hennig Brand (1669)

Facts about Phosphorus

• Phosphorus was discovered by a guy boiling his own pee — gross but true!
• White phosphorus glows in the dark!
• Your bones and teeth contain lots of phosphorus!
• Match heads use phosphorus to create that first spark!

Phosphorus videos

• White phosphorus glowing with an eerie green-blue light before self-igniting into fierce white flames

Back to the periodic table · Phosphorus on Wikipedia