
When a small spatula of red phosphorus is heated in a test tube, it will decompose and the other allotrope, white phosphorus, is formed. White phosphorus vapour will emit green light in the vapour phase, when in contact with moist air. This is due to oxidation of the phosphorus, in wich the intermediates (PO)2 and HPO will be in the excited state (and thus emit light). When white phosphorus is oxidised, various oxides are formed including P4O6 and P4O10. After only a short time of heating, quite a lot of white phosphorus has condensed in the upper parts of the test tube, as seen in the video. While white phosporus self-ignites in air at 30C, the phosphorus in the test tube does not ignite, probably because the oxygen level is the test tube is too low (consumed in the reaction with white P vapour), and the diffusion of air in the test-tube is also a slow process. However, should the test-tube break, the result would probably be a fire. Although the amount of phosphorus used in this experiment is very small (100mg or so), it still introduces a risk, as white phosphorus is extremely toxic (LD50 50-100mg), and the burning material on the skin can cause severe burns. This experiment should be done only with good ventilation, preferably outside or in a fume hood (I did it in a fume hood). Wear goggles and gloves.
phosphorus
chemistry
science
experiment
chemiluminescence
toxic
light