Appearance
Phosphorus appears in three major forms, white, red and black. The white form appears as a waxy white solid, but when pure is colourless and transparent. The red and black forms are powders of the appropriate colour.

Source
Phosphorous is not found free in nature, but is widely distributed in combination with minerals. An important source is Phosphate Rock, which contains the Apatite minerals and is found in the USA, what was the USSR and elesewhere.

White Phosphorus may be made commercially by several methods. Usually Phosphate Rock is heated in the presence of Carbon and Silica in a furnace, which produces Phosphorus as a vapour, which is then collected under water. It can be converted to red Phosphorus by heating for several days.

Uses
Fertilisers contain a high proportion of Phosphorus and are manufactured from concentrated Phosphoric acids. World wide demand for fertilisers has greatly increased in recent years as their importance to agriculture and farming has grown. Phosphorus is also important in the production of steel.

Phosphates are ingredients in some detergents, but are increasingly being omitted nowadays due to concern that high phosphate levels in natural water supplies cause the growth of algae. Phosphates are also used in the production of special glasses and fine chinaware.

General Information
White Phosphorus is insoluble in water but dissolves in Carbon disulphide. It is very toxic and can cause severe burns to the skin. It burns spontaneously in air. When exposed to sunlight or heated in its own vapour to 250K it is converted to red Phosphorus, which is less dangerous and does not ignite spontaneously. Red phosphorus is used in the manufacture of safety matches, pesticides, incendiary shells, smoke bombs and tracer pellets.