The Principles of Chemistry, Volume IIMendeleyev, Dmitry Ivanovich
Science
The Principles of Chemistry, Volume II
Mendeleyev, Dmitry Ivanovich
Argon; Chemistry; Periodic law
Besides this, there is a red variety of phosphorus, which differs
considerably from the above. _Red phosphorus_ (sometimes wrongly called
_amorphous phosphorus_) is partially formed when ordinary phosphorus
remains exposed to the action of light for a long time. It is also formed
in many reactions; for example, when ordinary phosphorus combines with
chlorine, bromine, iodine, or oxygen, a portion of it is converted into
red phosphorus. Schrötter, in Vienna, investigated this variety of
phosphorus, and pointed out by what methods it may be produced in
considerable quantities. Red phosphorus is a powdery red-brown opaque
substance of specific gravity 2·14. It does not combine so energetically
with oxygen and other substances as yellow phosphorus, and evolves less
heat in combining with them.[4] Common phosphorus easily oxidises in the
air; red phosphorus does not oxidise at all at the ordinary temperature;
hence it does not phosphoresce in the air, and may be very conveniently
kept in the form of powder. It does not, like yellow phosphorus, fuse at
44°. After being converted into vapour at 290° or 300°, it again passes
into the ordinary variety when slowly cooled. Red phosphorus is not
soluble in carbon bisulphide and other oily liquids, which permits of its
being freed from any admixture of the ordinary phosphorus. It is not
poisonous, and is used in many cases for which the ordinary phosphorus is
unsuitable or dangerous; for example, in the manufacture of matches,
which are then not poisonous or inflammable by accidental friction, and
therefore the red variety has now replaced the ordinary
phosphorus.[4 bis]
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