Other Applications of Elemental Phosphorus

Red P is rapidly oxidised when rubbed in contact with KCIO3 and sufficient heat is generated to ignite other components such as S, if present in a matchead mixture. This finally ignites the wood stem. 

Toy pistol caps contain red phosphorus and potassium chlorate in separate compartments which, when struck together, will explode. 

A spectacular illustration of the destructive power of phosphorus bombs was provided by Operation Gomorrah carried out against Hamburg in 1943. Bombing raids set fire to the city and 

Although known from World War I, phosphorus-filled smoke cartridges remain in military use. In these, a cloud of very fine white phosphorus is produced in such a way that immediate oxidation occurs to produce a dense white smoke of P2O5 (4.11). Hand grenades which produce a mixture of white smoke and burning particles of phosphorus constitute another modem military weapon. 

Alternatively, red P may be used to produce smoke, a typical formulation being 

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