phosphorus

¹ American  

[fos-fer-uhs] / ˈfɒs fər əs /

noun

plural

phosphori

1. Chemistry. a solid, nonmetallic element existing in at least three allotropic forms, one that is yellow, poisonous, flammable, and luminous in the dark, one that is red, less poisonous, and less flammable, and another that is black, insoluble in most solvents, and the least flammable. The element is used in forming smoke screens, its compounds are used in matches and phosphate fertilizers, and it is a necessary constituent of plant and animal life in bones, nerves, and embryos. P; 30.974; 15; (yellow) 1.82 at 20°C, (red) 2.20 at 20°C, (black) 2.25–2.69 at 20°C.

2. any phosphorescent substance.

3. phosphor.

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Phosphorus ² American  

[fos-fer-uhs] / ˈfɒs fər əs /

noun

1. Phosphor.

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Phosphorus ¹ British  

/ ˈfɒsfərəs /

noun

1. a morning star, esp Venus

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phosphorus ² British  

/ ˈfɒsfərəs /

noun

1. an allotropic nonmetallic element occurring in phosphates and living matter. Ordinary phosphorus is a toxic flammable phosphorescent white solid; the red form is less reactive and nontoxic: used in matches, pesticides, and alloys. The radioisotope phosphorus-32 ( radiophosphorus ), with a half-life of 14.3 days, is used in radiotherapy and as a tracer. Symbol: P; atomic no: 15; atomic wt: 30.973 762; valency: 3 or 5; relative density: 1.82 (white), 2.20 (red); melting pt: 44.1°C (white); boiling pt: 280°C (white)

2. a less common name for a phosphor

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phosphorus Scientific  

/ fŏs′fər-əs /

1. A highly reactive, poisonous nonmetallic element occurring naturally in phosphates, especially in the mineral apatite. It exists in white (or sometimes yellow), red, and black forms, and is an essential component of protoplasm. Phosphorus is used to make matches, fireworks, and fertilizers and to protect metal surfaces from corrosion. Atomic number 15; atomic weight 30.9738; melting point (white) 44.1°C; boiling point 280°C; specific gravity (white) 1.82; valence 3, 5.

2. See Periodic Table

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Etymology

Origin of phosphorus

1620–30; < New Latin phōsphorus phosphorus; Latin: morning star; Phosphor

Example Sentences

The increased supply of phosphorus benefits cyanobacteria that live on the surface of the brown algae.

From Science Daily

The tower is bristling with high-tech instruments - sensors that track almost everything happening between the forest and the atmosphere: water vapor, carbon dioxide, sunlight, and essential nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus.

From BBC

High in phosphorus, it can become a problem when excess nutrients from animal manure leaches into rivers and groundwater.

From BBC

"It may be that in normal conditions phosphorus is bound up in another molecule such as phosphorus trioxide," explained Beiler.

From Science Daily

As atmospheric CO2 levels rise and the planet warms, more nutrients such as phosphorus are washed into the sea.

From Science Daily