INTRODUCTION. Phosphorus is a very reactive nonmetal, so it cannot be found in nature in elemental form

Phosphorus is a very reactive nonmetal, so it cannot be found in nature in elemental form. Phosphorus was first isolated, accidentally, by the German chemist, Brandt, in 1669 while he was distilling concentrated urine with sand.

As a result of its ability to glow in the dark, the element was named phosphorus, meaning lightspreader in Greek.

Phosphorus is also an essential constituent of living organisms. Bones and teeth have a high percentage of calcium phosphate, Ca3(P04)2. Many proteins, especially in seeds, eggs, nerve tissues and brain cells, also contain phosphorus. In fact the element makes up about 1 % by mass of the human body.

USES

Phosphorus is important both for plant and animal nutrition, and most of the phosphorus poduced today is used in the manufacture of fertilizers. But it has a wide range of alternative applications, being used in the production of pesticides, detergents, water softeners, fine chinaware and baking powder. White phosphorus is flammable, so it is used in preparing fireworks and on the sides of safety match boxes.