Does phosphorus have a gas form?

Unlike the compounds of other matter cycles phosphorus cannot be found in air in the gaseous state. This is because phosphorus is usually liquid at normal temperatures and pressures. It is mainly cycling through water, soil and sediments.

Is phosphorus a harmful gas?

Phosphorus spontaneously ignites on contact with air, producing toxic fumes (phosphorus oxides). Phosphorus reacts violently with oxidants, halogens, some metals, nitrites, sulfur, and many other compounds. This causes a fire and explosion hazard. Phosphorus reacts with strong bases to produce toxic phosphine gas.

What is phosphorus gas used for?

Red phosphorus is an amorphous non-toxic solid. White phosphorus is used in flares and incendiary devices. Red phosphorus is in the material stuck on the side of matchboxes, used to strike safety matches against to light them. By far the largest use of phosphorus compounds is for fertilisers.

What type of gas is phosphorus?

phosphorus (P), nonmetallic chemical element of the nitrogen family (Group 15 [Va] of the periodic table) that at room temperature is a colourless, semitransparent, soft, waxy solid that glows in the dark.

Why is phosphorus called the devil’s element?

Some texts refer to phosphorus as the “Devil’s Element” because of its eerie glow, tendency to burst into flame, and because it was the 13th known element. Like other nonmetals, pure phosphorus assumes markedly different forms. There are at least five phosphorus allotropes.

Is phosphorus toxic to humans?

White phosphorus is extremely toxic to humans, while other forms of phosphorus are much less toxic.

What phosphorus smells like?

Phosphorus, white, dry or under water or in solution appears as a soft waxy solid with a sharp pungent odor similar to garlic.

How is phosphorus gas made?

phosphine (PH3), also called hydrogen phosphide, a colourless, flammable, extremely toxic gas with a disagreeable garliclike odour. Phosphine is formed by the action of a strong base or hot water on white phosphorus or by the reaction of water with calcium phosphide (Ca3P2).

Which phosphorus is used in fireworks?

Red phosphorus is also used in fireworks, and other explosives. Black phosphorus is the least reactive form, and has little commercial value, but can be converted to white phosphorus by heating it under pressure.

What is phosphorus poison?

Clinical description. Ingestion of elemental white or yellow phosphorus typically causes severe vomiting and diarrhea, which are both described as “smoking,” “luminescent,” and having a garlic-like odor. Other signs and symptoms of severe poisoning might include dysrhythmias, coma, hypotension, and death.

What happens when you inhale phosphine gas?

Acute (short-term) inhalation exposure to phosphine may cause headaches, dizziness, fatigue, drowsiness, burning substernal pain, nausea, vomiting, cough, labored breathing, chest tightness, pulmonary irritation, pulmonary edema, and tremors in humans. Convulsions may ensue after an apparent recovery.