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+ Physical chemistry
+ Chemistry
+ Phosphorus
+ Physics
+ Phosphorescence
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Al Chou

Does phosphorus glow in the dark?

Deborah Denise Thomas  Follow

White phosphorus does, yes, and from said material is where the term phosphorescence comes from; which is a complicated mechanism by which a slow release of acquired energy is dispersed from a material. White phosphorus is definitely a dangerous material, and also highly restricted in terms of accessibility to the average hobbyist. However, if you are ever able to obtain, or at least observe up close, the material it really is quite fascinating…. also, make sure that it stays immersed in water, or at least consistently soaked, if transferring the material, as white phosphorus tends to catch fire in open air!

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