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White phosphorus facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Ex-USS Alabama (BB-8) - NH 57483
A ship is hit by white phoshporus at a weapons test in 1931

White phosphorus is an incendiary weapon. It makes a bright light and smoke. Its main ingredient is one of the allotropes of the chemical element phosphorus. White phosphorus is toxic to humans. It can burn deep into soft tissue, it can be breathed in, or it can be ingested (eaten). Over time, these can cause death.

The use of incendiary weapons against civilians is forbidden since 1949. They were used by U.S. forces in Iraq in 2004. White phosphorous was also used for smoke cover by the Israeli Army during Operation Cast Lead in the Gaza Strip during the 2008-2009 war between Israel and Hamas.

Images for kids

  • PhosphComby

    The four common allotropes of phosphorus

  • White phosphorus

    White phosphorus crystal structure

  • Weißer Phosphor

    White phosphorus sample

  • Tetraphosphorus-liquid-2D-dimensions

    Tetraphosphorus molecule

  • Phosphor rot

    Red phosphorus

  • Phosphor-rot-violett

    Violet phosphorus (right) by a sample of red phosphorus (left)

  • Hittorf's violet phosphorus

    Hitorff's phosphorus structure

  • Black Phosphorus Ampoule

    Black phosphorus ampoule

  • Diphosphorus-3D-vdW

    Structure of diphosphorus

See also

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