Where is the most phosphorus found?

Category: science chemistry
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Phosphorus is not found in its pure elemental form on Earth, but it is found in many minerals called phosphates. Most commercial phosphorus is produced by mining and heating calcium phosphate. Phosphorus is the eleventh most abundant element in the Earth's crust. Phosphorus is also found in the human body.



Also, where is phosphorus found in the environment?

Phosphorus is a chemical element found on Earth in numerous compound forms, such as the phosphate ion (PO43-), located in water, soil and sediments. The quantities of phosphorus in soil are generally small, and this often limits plant growth. That is why people often apply phosphate fertilisers on farmland.

Furthermore, where is the largest reservoir of phosphorus? The largest reservoir of phosphorus is in sedimentary rock. It is in these rocks where the phosphorus cycle begins. When it rains, phosphates are removed from the rocks (via weathering) and are distributed throughout both soils and water. Plants take up the phosphate ions from the soil.

Also question is, where do you find phosphorus in everyday life?

There are four common forms of phosphorous used today: white, black, red, and violet. It's easy to spot phosphorus on the periodic table just under nitrogen (N) at position number fifteen. You can find phosphorus in baking powder, fertilizers, and fireworks.

How do humans get phosphorus?

Phosphorus works with calcium to help build bones. Phosphorus also plays an important structural role in nucleic acids and cell membranes. And it's involved in the body's energy production. Your body absorbs less phosphorus when calcium levels are too high, and vice versa.

29 Related Question Answers Found

What are the main sources of phosphorus?

Phosphorus is found in high amounts in protein foods such as milk and milk products and meat and alternatives, such as beans, lentils and nuts. Grains, especially whole grains provide phosphorus.

What are some properties of phosphorus?

Properties: The melting point of phosphorus (white) is 44.1°C, boiling point (white) is 280°C, specific gravity (white) is 1.82, (red) 2.20, (black) 2.25-2.69, with a valence of 3 or 5. There are four allotropic forms of phosphorus: two forms of white (or yellow), red, and black (or violet).

What is a good source of phosphorus for plants?

Most fruiting and flowering plants require moderate to high levels of phosphorus for the proper development of seeds and fruits. Sources of phosphorus; include Rock Phosphate, Tennessee Brown Phosphate, Bone Meal, Fish Bone Meal and Bat Guano.

What is the color of phosphorus?

Phosphorus exists in at least 3 allotropic forms. The three main allotropes are named for their colors: white (or yellow) phosphorus, red phosphorus, and black phosphorus. The most common and reactive of which is white (or yellow) phosphorus which looks like a waxy, transparent solid with a garlic-like odor.

What state of matter is phosphorus?


Elements can be classified based on their physical states (States of Matter) e.g. gas, solid or liquid. This element is a solid. Phosphorus is classified as an element in the 'Non-Metals' section which can be located in groups 14,15 and 16 of the Periodic Table.

What is the importance of phosphorus?

The main function of phosphorus is in the formation of bones and teeth. It plays an important role in how the body uses carbohydrates and fats. It is also needed for the body to make protein for the growth, maintenance, and repair of cells and tissues.

How is phosphorus absorbed by plants?

Phosphorus Uptake by Plant Roots
Plant roots absorb phosphorus from the soil solution. In general, roots absorb phosphorus in the form of orthophosphate, but can also absorb certain forms of organic phosphorus. Phosphorus moves to the root surface through diffusion.

What is a common use for phosphorus?

Phosphorus is a vital plant nutrient and its main use – via phosphate compounds – is in the production of fertilizers. Phosphorus is used in the manufacture of safety matches (red phosphorus), pyrotechnics and incendiary shells. Phosphorus is also used in steel manufacture and in the production of phosphor bronze.

How much phosphorus is needed for urine?

Oh, and you'd need about 1500 gallons of urine. Hennig Brand discovered the element of phosphorus in 1669.

What is the Bohr model for phosphorus?


So for the element of PHOSPHORUS, you already know that the atomic number tells you the number of electrons. That means there are 15 electrons in a Phosphorus atom. Looking at the picture, you can see there are two electrons in shell one, eight in shell two, and five in shell three.

What household items contain phosphate?

In addition to cleaning products, phosphates have a dizzying number of other uses. They may be found in water-based paints and coatings, metal polishes, flame retardants, processed foods, personal care products, pharmaceutical products, and more.

Is Lithium a metal or nonmetal?

Lithium is part of the alkali metal group and can be found in the first column of the periodic table right below hydrogen. Like all alkali metals it has a single valence electron that it readily gives up to form a cation or compound. At room temperature lithium is a soft metal that is silvery-white in color.

What household products contain phosphorus?

Sources of Phosphorus
  • Food and Drug Industry. Phosphates are added to lunch meats, cheese, canned tuna, non-dairy coffee whiteners and multi-vitamins.
  • Detergents.
  • Dishwasher Detergents and Household Cleaners.
  • Agriculture.
  • Car Washing.
  • Wastewater.
  • Storm Water.
  • Lawn and Garden Fertilizers.

Is phosphorus monatomic or diatomic?


The gas is 50% composed of P molecules (that is, diatomic molecules) at around 1800C and atmospheric pressure. At higher temperatures still these break down into individual P atoms. So the complete answer is “No, not under ordinary conditions, but yes, partially, at high temperatures”.

How many types of phosphorus are there?

There are roughly 10 different allotropic forms of phosphorus. The three most common forms include white, red, and black phosphorus. The physical properties are quite different from each other.

How does phosphorus enter the food chain?

Phosphorus enters the atmosphere from volcanic aerosols. As this aerosol precipitates to earth, it enters terrestrial food webs. Some of the phosphorus from terrestrial food webs dissolves in streams and lakes, and the remainder enters the soil. Another source of phosphorus is fertilizers.