ELi5: What makes white phosphorus so dangerous when used as a weapon of war?

Question

ELi5: What makes white phosphorus so dangerous when used as a weapon of war?

In: 291

Answer 1

Its just really nasty stuff. It burns incredibly hot. Like burns you straight down to the bone level hot. It will ignite when it comes in contact with air so its very difficult to actually put out. If you manage to actually put the stuff out it will just re-ignite the second it comes in contact with air. its also toxic to come in prolonged contact with.

Its basically creates sticky, self igniting, toxic fire, that can burn you to the bone.