Phosphorus

Phosphorus is a nonmetal in the nitrogen family whose properties depend strongly on how its atoms are arranged. White phosphorus is waxy, highly reactive, and poisonous, while red phosphorus is less reactive and is used on the striking strips of safety matches. In nature, phosphorus occurs in compounds, especially phosphate minerals such as apatite, rather than as the free element. Industry mines phosphate rock and processes much of it into phosphate fertilizers. To obtain elemental phosphorus, manufacturers heat phosphate rock with carbon and silica in electric furnaces. Phosphorus is also essential to life: phosphate groups form part of DNA and ATP, the molecule cells use to transfer energy, and calcium phosphate minerals help give bones and teeth their strength.