What is Phosphine?

About Phosphine:

• Phosphine on Earth is developed naturally by bacteria that live in very low-oxygen environments.
• To produce phosphine, Earth bacteria take up phosphate from minerals or biological material and add hydrogen.
• It is also called as hydrogen phosphide.
• Properties
  • It is a colourless, flammable, extremely toxic gas with a disagreeable garlic like odour.
  • It is formed by the action of a strong base or hot water on white phosphorus or by the reaction of water with calcium phosphide (Ca3P2).
  • It is structurally similar to ammonia(NH3), but phosphine is a much poorer solvent than ammonia and is much less soluble in water.
• Uses of Phosphine
  • It is used in semiconductor and plastics industries, in the production of a flame retardant, and as a pesticide in stored grain.

Key facts about Venus

• It is Earth’s closest planetary neighbour.
• Similar in structure but slightly smaller than Earth, it is the second planet from the sun.
• It is wrapped in a thick, toxic atmosphere that traps in heat.
• Its surface temperatures reach a scorching 880 degrees Fahrenheit (471 degrees Celsius).
• It rotates very slowly on its axis – one day on Venus lasts 243 Earth days.
• Unlike the other planets in our solar system, Venus spins clockwise on its axis.