Combustion of white phosphorus

The flask contains white phosphorus (a yellowish-white solid P₄) well-preserved under water, the cylinder is full of oxygen.

We cut a little piece of phosphorus .

Phosphorus is ignited in air.

Phosphorus burns intensively with a yellow flame.

The product of this combustion is a white smoke (finely divided solid!).

Let us introduce a bromothymol solution.

The solution turns to yellow.