PHOSPHINE Meaning and
Definition
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Phosphine is a colorless, flammable, and highly toxic gas that consists of one phosphorus atom bonded to three hydrogen atoms, with the chemical formula PH3. It has a distinctive odor resembling that of garlic or rotten fish. Phosphine occurs naturally in low concentrations in the Earth's atmosphere, originating from various sources such as volcanic activity, decomposition of organic matter, and the digestive processes of certain insects and animals.
In industrial settings, phosphine is predominantly produced by the reaction of calcium phosphide with water. It is widely used as a fumigant to control pests in stored grain and for the protection of stored products such as tobacco, seeds, and timber. Additionally, phosphine finds application in the semiconductor industry as a dopant gas for producing certain types of electronic devices.
However, due to its extreme toxicity, phosphine poses a significant health hazard, both in acute and chronic exposure scenarios. Inhalation or contact with phosphine gas can lead to severe respiratory distress, poisoning of the nervous system, and damage to internal organs. High levels of exposure can be fatal.
Phosphine gas is also noteworthy for its association with potential signs of extraterrestrial life. Its presence in the atmosphere of Venus, as indicated by scientific observations, has sparked scientific interest and investigations into its production mechanisms and possible biological origins.
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Phosphureted hydrogen, hydrogen phosphide, PH3.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for PHOSPHINE
- ohosphine
- lhosphine
- -hosphine
- 0hosphine
- pgosphine
- pbosphine
- pnosphine
- pjosphine
- puosphine
- pyosphine
- phisphine
- phksphine
- phlsphine
- phpsphine
- ph0sphine
- ph9sphine
- phoaphine
- phozphine
- phoxphine
- -phosphene
- phosfine
- phosphiyne
- Phosphorene
- Phorphone
Etymology of PHOSPHINE
The word "phosphine" comes from the combination of two separate components: "phosph-" and "-ine".
The first part, "phosph-", is derived from the Greek word "phosphoros", meaning "light-bringer" or "light-bearing". This is further derived from "phos", meaning "light", and "pherein", meaning "to carry" or "to bear". This is because phosphorus, which is closely related to phosphine, emits a faint glow in the dark when exposed to air.
The second part, "-ine", is a suffix commonly used in chemistry to signify a compound. It is derived from the Latin suffix "-inus" or "-ina", indicating belonging or relation.
Therefore, the term "phosphine" essentially means a compound that is related to phosphorus, reflecting its chemical composition and properties.
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