Mendeleev.com
Understanding the element
Phosphorus (P) is chemical element 15. It belongs to the nonmetals, and its reference state at room temperature is a solid. Those basic facts are a useful starting point for its chemistry and applications.
Where do we encounter it?
In practice, it turns up most often in fertiliser production, biology and matches.
fertiliser productionbiologymatches
Standard atomic weight30.973761998(5)
What its position in the table tells us
Phosphorus sits in period 3, group 15 and the P block. That location is useful because neighbouring elements often share trends in valence electrons, oxidation states and bonding behaviour.
Worth remembering
Phosphorus has a characteristic place in the periodic table that helps explain both its chemistry and its practical uses
Phosphorus has a characteristic place in the periodic table that helps explain both its chemistry and its practical uses