White phosphorus facts for kids

White phosphorus is a special chemical. It's used in some weapons. When it burns, it makes a very bright light and a lot of smoke. It's one type of the chemical element called phosphorus.

White phosphorus is dangerous for people. It can cause serious burns if it touches skin. It can also be harmful if someone breathes in its smoke or accidentally eats it. Because it's so dangerous, it can cause serious health problems.

Using weapons that cause fires, like white phosphorus, against regular people (civilians) has been against international rules since 1949. Even so, it has been used in some conflicts. For example, U.S. forces used it in Iraq in 2004. The Israeli Army also used white phosphorus for smoke cover during a conflict in the Gaza Strip in 2008-2009.

Images for kids

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  The four common types of phosphorus

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  White phosphorus crystal structure

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  A sample of white phosphorus

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  A tetraphosphorus molecule

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  Red phosphorus

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  Violet phosphorus (right) next to red phosphorus (left)

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  Hitorff's phosphorus structure

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  Black phosphorus in a container

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  Structure of diphosphorus

See also

In Spanish: Fósforo blanco para niños