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P: 2·8·5

elements · 15 / 118 · All 118

P

Phosphorus

Z 
15
Mass 
30.974
Lifeforce 
Air
In the body 
brain, bones, dna

The phosphor of life: the backbone of every DNA strand, the currency of every cell's energy (ATP). Without it, no memory, no movement, no metabolism.

Kites and birds weave a bridge of threads between two hills.
Plate · Air Air never keeps to itself. It connects what two hills hold apart.

Made primarily in supernovae and asymptotic giant branch stars. Rare on Earth. Its scarcity may limit life itself.

Lab note · 1% of the body. ATP carries three phosphates; give one up, and the cell moves.

Tool · Cosmic origin

Where your atoms come from

P · Supernova

Born in supernova explosions, the death of massive stars scattering their innards across the galaxy.

65 of the 118 elements share this origin.

Choose a stage: click, or arrow keys. · Cosmic nucleosynthesis · current standard model

Tool · Periodic table

Your place in the system

  • Fire
  • Water
  • Air
  • Earth
  • Source

Click any element to go there.