Periodic table / Phosphorus

Overview

Phosphorus is a chemical element with symbol P and atomic number 15. As an element, phosphorus exists in two major forms—white phosphorus and red phosphorus—but due to its high reactivity, phosphorus is never found as a free element on Earth. Instead phosphorus-containing minerals are almost always present in their maximally oxidised state, as inorganic phosphate rocks.

Electron configuration

The electron configuration of Phosphorus is [Ne] 3s2 3p3, with electron shells of 2, 8, 5.

Physical and chemical properties

Phosphorus is classified as a nonmetal. It has an atomic mass of 30.974 and exists as a solid at standard conditions, appearing as colourless, waxy white, yellow, scarlet, red, violet, black.

Real-world uses of Phosphorus

Phosphorus plays an important role in chemistry and biology, and is used in industrial processes, manufacturing, or as a key component of compounds essential to life.

Interesting facts about Phosphorus

• Phosphorus has the atomic number 15 and chemical symbol P.
• It belongs to period 3, group 15 of the periodic table.
• Phosphorus was discovered by Hennig Brand.

Explore Phosphorus interactively

Want to compare Phosphorus with other elements or see it highlighted on the full table? Open the interactive periodic table and click on P to explore properties, trends, and neighboring elements. You can also test your knowledge with our periodic table quiz game.