Quick answerPhosphorus (P) is a nonmetal with atomic number 15 and an atomic mass of 30.974 (2023), in group 15, period 3. It was discovered by Hennig Brand in 1669. It is used for phosphate fertilisers and matches and fireworks. Its electron configuration is [Ne] 3s2 3p3.
Phosphorus is the element that lights matches, grows crops, and builds your bones and DNA. Fertilisers made from phosphate rock feed the world's farms, while the same element stores energy in every cell as ATP. It glows in the dark as white phosphorus, so reactive it bursts into flame in air, which is why it also fills incendiary devices and fireworks.
Key facts
| Symbol | P |
|---|---|
| Atomic number | 15 |
| Atomic mass | 30.974 (IUPAC standard atomic weight, 2023) |
| Category | nonmetal |
| Group | 15 |
| Period | 3 |
| Block | p-block |
| Electron configuration | [Ne] 3s2 3p3 |
| Discovered | Hennig Brand, 1669 |
| Uses | phosphate fertilisers, matches and fireworks, detergents, steel production, food additives |
Overview
Phosphorus is the element that lights matches, grows crops, and builds your bones and DNA. It has atomic number 15, an atomic mass of 30.974, and the electron configuration [Ne] 3s2 3p3, and it sits in group 15, period 3 of the periodic table. Hennig Brand discovered it in 1669 while searching for the philosopher's stone in urine, and named it from the Greek for light-bearer, because white phosphorus glows in the dark. Phosphorus never occurs free in nature, because it is too reactive; it is found in phosphate rock, mined mainly for fertiliser. Phosphate fertilisers feed the world's farms, and without them crop yields would fall sharply. In your body, phosphorus builds bones and teeth alongside calcium, forms the backbone of DNA, and stores energy in every cell as ATP, the molecule that powers muscle and thought. White phosphorus bursts into flame in air, which is why it fills matches, fireworks and incendiary devices, while red phosphorus is the safer form struck on matchboxes. Phosphorus compounds also go into detergents, food additives and steel.
Frequently asked questions
What is phosphorus used for?
Phosphorus is mainly used in phosphate fertilisers, which feed the world's farms and keep crop yields high. It lights matches and fireworks, goes into detergents, food additives and steel, and in the body it builds bones and teeth, forms DNA and stores energy as ATP. White phosphorus is highly reactive and glows in the dark.
What is the symbol for phosphorus?
The chemical symbol for phosphorus is P, from its name, which comes from the Greek for light-bearer, because white phosphorus glows in the dark. It has atomic number 15 and a standard atomic mass of 30.974, and it sits in group 15 and period 3. Hennig Brand discovered it in 1669 while searching for the philosopher's stone.
What is the atomic number of phosphorus?
Phosphorus has atomic number 15, so it is the fifteenth element in the periodic table. Its atom holds fifteen protons and fifteen electrons, and its standard atomic mass is 30.974. It is a nonmetal in group 15 and period 3, with the electron configuration [Ne] 3s2 3p3, and it was discovered by Hennig Brand in 1669.
Is phosphorus a metal?
No, phosphorus is a nonmetal. It is in group 15 of the periodic table and is found in several forms, called allotropes, of which white and red phosphorus are the best known. White phosphorus is waxy, glows in the dark and bursts into flame in air, while red phosphorus is the safer form used on matchboxes.
Why is phosphorus important for the body?
Phosphorus is essential for the body because it builds bones and teeth alongside calcium, forms the backbone of DNA, and stores energy in every cell as ATP, the molecule that powers muscles and thought. You get it from food such as meat, dairy, nuts and beans, and a shortage weakens bones and saps energy.
Quick quiz
Three questions from the facts on this page. No sign-up, no score is saved.
Keep exploring
- Periodic table — all 118 elements
- Hydrogen (H) — another nonmetal, atomic number 1
- Carbon (C) — another nonmetal, atomic number 6
- Nitrogen (N) — another nonmetal, atomic number 7
- Oxygen (O) — another nonmetal, atomic number 8
- Sulfur (S) — another nonmetal, atomic number 16
- Selenium (Se) — another nonmetal, atomic number 34
Sources & last updated
- CIAAW — Standard Atomic Weights
- PubChem Periodic Table
- Wikipedia — Timeline of chemical element discoveries
Last updated: . Figures are shown with their year; where sources disagree, the value is left out rather than estimated.