Phosphorus was discovered in 1669 by H. Brandt in Hamburg, Germany. The name is derived from the Greek ‘phosphoros’, meaning bringer of light, because it glows in the dark.

Chemical Data & Description


Further info:



Visual Elements: http://www.chemsoc.org/viselements

The Shocking History of Phosphorus by Dr. John Emsley:
http://www.amazon.co.uk