What does white phosphorus mean?

Definitions for white phosphorus
white phos·pho·rus

This dictionary definitions page includes all the possible meanings, example usage and translations of the word white phosphorus.

Wiktionary

  1. white phosphorusnoun

    The most common allotrope of phosphorus; a yellow-white waxy solid that is insoluble in water and spontaneously combusts on exposure to air to form clouds of phosphorus pentoxide; used as a military smokescreen and as an incendiary weapon.

Wikipedia

  1. white phosphorus

    Elemental phosphorus can exist in several allotropes, the most common of which are white and red solids. Solid violet and black allotropes are also known. Gaseous phosphorus exists as diphosphorus and atomic phosphorus.

Wikidata

  1. White phosphorus

    White phosphorus is a material made from a common allotrope of the chemical element phosphorus that is used in smoke, tracer, illumination and incendiary munitions. Other common names include WP, and the slang term "Willie Pete," which is dated from its use in Vietnam, and is still sometimes used in military jargon. As an incendiary weapon, white phosphorus burns fiercely and can set cloth, fuel, ammunition and other combustibles on fire, and cause serious burns or death. In addition to its offensive capabilities, white phosphorus is also a highly efficient smoke-producing agent, burning quickly and causing an instant bank of smoke. As a result, smoke-producing white phosphorus munitions are very common, particularly as smoke grenades for infantry, loaded in grenade launchers on tanks and other armored vehicles, or as part of the ammunition allotment for artillery or mortars. These create smoke screens to mask movement, position or the origin of fire from the enemy. White phosphorus is used in bombs, artillery, mortars, and short-range missiles which burst into burning flakes of phosphorus upon impact.

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Numerology

  1. Chaldean Numerology

    The numerical value of white phosphorus in Chaldean Numerology is: 3

  2. Pythagorean Numerology

    The numerical value of white phosphorus in Pythagorean Numerology is: 4


Translations for white phosphorus

From our Multilingual Translation Dictionary

  • வெள்ளை பாஸ்பரஸ்Tamil
  • తెలుపు భాస్వరంTelugu

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"white phosphorus." Definitions.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 23 Dec. 2024. <https://www.definitions.net/definition/white+phosphorus>.

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