White phosphorus

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.

White Phosphorus Media

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  White phosphorus (left), red phosphorus (center left and center right), and violet phosphorus (right)

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  White phosphorus and resulting allotropes

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  White phosphorus crystal structure

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  White phosphorus sample, with a chunk removed from the corner to expose un-oxidized material

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  Tetraphosphorus molecule with dimensions

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  Red phosphor

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  This unit cell contains 42 atoms and has spacegroup P-1

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

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  Violet phosphorus structure

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  Hitorff's phosphorus structure