Phosphorus
John Emsley looks at the element that's the devil in disguise
When bonded to four oxygen atoms, phosphorus is a key part of living things. But when the oxygen atoms are stripped away we uncover an element with terrible powers.
With a form that is flammable, deadly and glows in the dark, phosphorus could well be considered one of the more dangerous elements. From its discovery via evaporating urine, to its widescale manufacture through dissolving bone in sulphuric acid it certainly has a dark background.
John Emsley delves deeper into the deadly effects and uses of phosphorus.
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