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because it is highly reactive and spontaneously to combusts when expodes to the air.
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∙ 12y ago
White phosphorus is highly reactive and can spontaneously ignite in air. By keeping it submerged in water, the risk of it coming into contact with oxygen in the air and igniting is minimized. Additionally, storing white phosphorus underwater helps to prevent the release of toxic phosphorus fumes.
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White phosphorus is always kept under water?
White phosphorus is a highly flammable and reactive substance that can ignite in air, so it is stored under water to prevent exposure to oxygen and potential combustion. This method helps to keep the white phosphorus stable and prevent accidents.
What is white phosphorus is always kept under water?
White phosphorus is a highly reactive, pyrophoric substance that ignites spontaneously in air. It is stored underwater to prevent contact with oxygen and reduce the risk of ignition. White phosphorus can react violently with oxygen, leading to fires and potential harm.
How can white phosphorus be extinguish?
it has to be smothered or burned up
Why white phosphorous has to be kept in water?
White phosphorus should be kept in water or under a layer of oil to prevent its exposure to air, as it is highly reactive and can spontaneously ignite upon contact with oxygen. Storing it submerged helps to reduce the risk of accidental fires and exposure to air. Additionally, white phosphorus can release toxic fumes, and storing it in water can help to contain these fumes and prevent them from dispersing.
Why white phosphorus has to be kept in water?
White phosphorus is highly reactive with oxygen in the air, leading to spontaneous combustion. Storing it in water helps to prevent exposure to air, which can ignite the phosphorus. Water also helps to keep the phosphorus cool, reducing the risk of fire or explosion.
White phosphorus is always kept under water?
White phosphorus is a highly flammable and reactive substance that can ignite in air, so it is stored under water to prevent exposure to oxygen and potential combustion. This method helps to keep the white phosphorus stable and prevent accidents.
What is white phosphorus is always kept under water?
White phosphorus is a highly reactive, pyrophoric substance that ignites spontaneously in air. It is stored underwater to prevent contact with oxygen and reduce the risk of ignition. White phosphorus can react violently with oxygen, leading to fires and potential harm.
How can white phosphorus be extinguish?
it has to be smothered or burned up
How phosphorus is stored?
Red phosphorusis not stored under either water or oil. It is rather safe, although friction can convert it towhite phosphorus. Red phosphorus is used in some matches.It is white phosphorus that is the real nasty one. That is stored under water. White phosphorus ignites spontaneously in contact with air. That is the element used in some military munitions.
How phosphorus is stored in lab?
Phosphorus is typically stored in the laboratory in a tightly sealed container under inert gas to prevent oxidation. It is often stored in a cool, dry place away from heat and sources of ignition due to its flammability. Special precautions are taken to handle and store phosphorus safely due to its reactivity with air and water.
Is phosphorus explosive?
Phosphorus itself is not explosive, but certain forms of phosphorus can be highly reactive or flammable. White phosphorus, for example, can ignite spontaneously in air and is used in incendiary weapons. Red phosphorus, on the other hand, is not as reactive and is commonly used in matches and other products.
Why phosporus kept in water?
Potassium is a soft metal which reacts violently (spontaniously combusts) with both water and oxygen, so both must be excluded, by storing it in paraffin or kerosene. Phosphorus is a non metal .White phosphorous is kept under water because it reacts with oxygen but not water. Red phosphorus (the allotropic form P4, which occurs when white phosphorus is heated above 275`C) is more inert and does not need to be kept in water to exclude air.
Why white phosphorous has to be kept in water?
White phosphorus should be kept in water or under a layer of oil to prevent its exposure to air, as it is highly reactive and can spontaneously ignite upon contact with oxygen. Storing it submerged helps to reduce the risk of accidental fires and exposure to air. Additionally, white phosphorus can release toxic fumes, and storing it in water can help to contain these fumes and prevent them from dispersing.
Why white phosphorus has to be kept in water?
White phosphorus is highly reactive with oxygen in the air, leading to spontaneous combustion. Storing it in water helps to prevent exposure to air, which can ignite the phosphorus. Water also helps to keep the phosphorus cool, reducing the risk of fire or explosion.
Does phosphorus react with water?
Yes, phosphorus can react with water. White phosphorus is highly reactive with water, igniting spontaneously upon contact to form phosphoric acid and releasing heat. Red phosphorus is less reactive and does not ignite in water, but can slowly hydrolyze to form phosphoric acid.
What are the problems with phosphorus?
There are two main types of the element phosphorus, red and white. Both are poisonous, leading to liver damage. The white phosphorus catches fire spontaneously in air and is difficult to extinguish . The white smoke formed (phosphorus pentoxide) forms a strong acid when dissolved in water.
How can a white phosphorus be extinguished?
White phosphorus can be extinguished by smothering the flames with sand, cutting off its oxygen supply. Water should not be used to extinguish white phosphorus fires, as it can react with the chemical and make the fire worse. Firefighters should use caution and appropriate protective gear when dealing with white phosphorus fires.
