Final answer:
The periodic table identifies the element with symbol P and atomic number 16 as phosphorus.
Step-by-step explanation:
The element with the symbol P and atomic number 16 on the periodic table is phosphorus. The elemental composition * 16 P 16 N suggests an atom with 16 protons and, typically, an equal number of neutrons for the most common isotope, leading us to phosphorus. Each element is represented on the periodic table with a unique symbol, commonly derived from its name or historical nomenclature, and an atomic number that indicates the number of protons in its nucleus.
From the options provided - Germanium (Ge), Carbon (C), Sulfur (S), and Phosphorus (P) - only phosphorus has the symbol P and the given atomic number. Therefore, using the periodic table, we identify the element as phosphorus with the symbol P.