Phosphorus Uses

Did You Know?

German physician and alchemist, Hennig Brand discovered phosphorus while evaporating urine to create the legendary Philosophers’ Stone.

... it’s also worth noting that this discovery made Brand the first person to discover an element.

Phosphorus is a chemical element commonly found in inorganic phosphate rocks. In the list of chemical elements, it is designated the symbol P, while its atomic number is 15. In its elemental form, phosphorus is basically a non-metal, with a density of 1.82 g/cm³ and atomic mass of 30.973762 ± 0.000002 u. Its melting point is 111.38 °F (44.1 °C), while its boiling point is 536.9 °F (280 °C). It is required by humans and plants to perform various life functions. Other than the biological uses, its industrial uses are also important for us humans.

Biological Uses

Uses for the Human Body

The human body requires phosphate to produce energy and manage it, and phosphorus is by far the most important source of the same. It is one of the most common minerals in our body; second only to calcium. It plays a crucial role in synthesizing proteins, fats, and carbohydrates. Phosphate is also required to maintain the fluid and electrolyte balance in the body. With so many uses to its credit, phosphate is indeed very important for us, such that its deficiency can result in adverse effects on our body. It is a vital component of DNA and RNA, and links the structures of both.

Phosphorus also plays a crucial role in the transmission of nerve impulses within the body. We are aware of the fact that calcium is the most important element in our body when it comes to the formation of teeth and bones. What we don’t know, is the fact that calcium alone can’t build them, and hence, our body relies phosphorus to do the needful. Half of our bones are made from the phosphate derived from it. Other than these uses, it also facilitates the digestion of riboflavin and niacin, and helps the kidneys to excrete waste effectively.

Uses for Plants

Phosphorus is one of the three most essential nutrients which play a vital role in plant growth; the other two being nitrogen and potassium. It has a crucial role to play in photosynthesis, nutrient transportation, and energy transfer. During photosynthesis, it converts light energy to chemical energy. As for nutrient transportation, it dissolves various nutrients in the soil with water and transports them to the different parts of the plant.

Additionally, phosphorus serves as an energy storage medium within cells (ATP) in the form of phosphate. Studies have also revealed that phosphorus is related to the growth of cellular structures and thus, the deficiency of this nutrient can hamper plant growth to a significant extent. The difference between a plant aided by potassium-rich fertilizers and the other deficient in this nutrient, is quite obvious from their appearance.

Commercial Uses

• Phosphorus and its various compounds have been used in a wide range of applications. Like we said earlier, its use in making matchbook strikers and safety matches is by far the most popular of the lot. The heads of the matchstick are either made of phosphorus, or its organic compound, phosphorus sesquisulfide. Initially, white phosphorus was used to make matches, but taking into account the threat it posed to the users, it was eventually replaced by red phosphorus.
• It is also used as a flame-retardant in textiles, plastics, sealants, etc. Chemical polish made from it is ideal in brightening aluminum and aluminum alloys. It is used in a whole lot of cleaning solutions as well. In terms of industrial usage, it is used to produce special glasses, toothpaste, pesticides, detergents, phosphor bronze, steel, etc.
• It’s a major constituent of high-nitrogen fertilizer; ammonium phosphate in particular. As we pointed out earlier, it helps in plant growth by facilitating energy transfer, stimulating root growth, and transporting nutrients from the soil to the different parts of the plant. In its ground form, rock phosphate is used to treat highly acidic soil.
• It is also used to make weapons like incendiary bombs and smoke bombs. In fact, the use of incendiary bombs―made from white phosphorus―during World War II is well documented. More recently, weapons made from this chemical element have been used in wars in Korea, Iraq, Israel, etc. Red phosphorus is also used to make tracer bullets.
• We also use various inorganic compounds of phosphorus in several day-to-day activities. One of the best examples of the same is trisodium phosphate, which is used as a cleaning agent and water softener. Similarly, phosphoric acid is used in soft drinks to give them a sharp flavor and mono-calcium phosphate is used in making baking soda.

All the biological and commercial uses of phosphorus discussed above, give a rough idea as to how important this chemical element is for various lifeforms on the planet. Interestingly, it is the seventh most common element in the Earth’s crust.