3 days ago

Entertainment Education chemistry white phosphorus phosphorus element spontaneous ignition glowing in dark chemiluminescence toxic chemical matches history incendiary devices

#chemistry #science #shorts #curious
This demo explores the properties of white phosphorus. It is a waxy, translucent solid that must be stored under water to prevent contact with air. When exposed to oxygen, it glows faintly in the dark due to slow oxidation (chemiluminescence). If left out longer, it can ignite spontaneously at room temperature. White phosphorus is highly toxic and corrosive. Historically, it was used in matches and incendiary devices, but modern phosphorus chemistry underpins fertilizers for agriculture, detergents for cleaning, and semiconductors in electronics.

Safety note: White phosphorus is extremely hazardous; it should only be handled in a controlled laboratory with proper PPE and strict safety protocols.

Attribution: Clip source: NileRed — original upload White Phosphorus — Element Series (2015) (Archive.org mirror of YouTube). Transformed under fair use: narration, music, trim (~30s), reframed visuals, educational subtitles.