In 1669, an alchemist named Hennig Brand was hunting for gold. Instead, he boiled down 5,500 liters of urine and discovered a waxy substance that glowed in the dark. That substance was phosphorus — Greek for "light-bearer." White phosphorus truly shines at night and bursts into flame in open air. Red phosphorus is far safer — you'll find it on every matchbox.
But phosphorus plays a much bigger role in life itself. It holds DNA strands together, stores energy in ATP molecules, and strengthens bones and teeth. No plant grows without it. That's why phosphorus is one of the three key ingredients in fertilizers (NPK). About 1% of your body mass is phosphorus.
Today, over 80% of mined phosphorus goes into fertilizers. Phosphate deposits are a strategic resource that nations compete over. Morocco controls more than 70% of the world's phosphorite reserves. Scientists warn that cheap phosphorus could run out within 50 to 100 years.
Phosphorus matters in technology too. It's used to dope silicon in microchips. Phosphoric acid gives Coca-Cola and Pepsi their tang. And lithium iron phosphate batteries power Tesla and BYD electric vehicles — they're safer and cheaper than other chemistries.
White phosphorus is extremely dangerous. The lethal dose for a human is just 50 mg — a grain the size of a rice kernel. It ignites spontaneously in air at 34 °C and causes deep chemical burns that heal poorly. It must be stored underwater. Red phosphorus is much safer — non-toxic and not self-igniting. Phosphine gas (PH₃) is deadly poisonous with a garlic-like smell. Even low concentrations in air are life-threatening.
Brand boiled 5,500 liters of urine looking for gold. He didn't find it — but he discovered phosphorus, the first element with a known date and discoverer.
White phosphorus glows in the dark. It's not phosphorescence but chemiluminescence — slow oxidation by air produces an eerie green light.
Every rung of the DNA ladder depends on phosphorus. Phosphate groups form the backbone of the double helix. Without them, the genetic code would fall apart.
White phosphorus ignites in air at just 34 °C — below body temperature. That's why it must be stored underwater in sealed containers.
Plants can't grow without phosphorus — they need it for photosynthesis and cell division. That's why phosphorus fertilizers (NPK) are the backbone of modern farming.
Morocco holds over 70% of the world's phosphorite reserves. That's a bigger share than Saudi Arabia has of oil.
| Isotope | Mass (u) | Abundance | Half-life | Decay |
|---|---|---|---|---|
31P | 30.973762 | 100.00% | stable | — |
32P☢ | 31.973907 | synthetic | 14.263 days | β− |
Distillation of urine