Pb
Lead
Atomic number: 82Mass: 207.2 uCategory: Post-Transition Metal
About Lead
Lead is a heavy metal that is denser than most common materials. It is soft, malleable, and has a relatively low melting point. Lead was used extensively historically in plumbing, paints, and fuels, but is now known to be highly toxic to humans.
Properties
Period
6
Group
14
Block
P
Category
Post-Transition Metal
Electronegativity
2.33 (Pauling)
Ionization Energy
715.6 kJ/mol
Melting Point
601 K (327°C)
Boiling Point
2022 K (1749°C)
Density
11.34 g/cm³
Oxidation States
+2, +4
Electron Configuration
1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 3d¹⁰ 4s² 4p⁶ 4d¹⁰ 4f¹⁴ 5s² 5p⁶ 5d¹⁰ 6s² 6p²
[Xe] 4f¹⁴ 5d¹⁰ 6s² 6p²
Shell 1:2e⁻
Shell 2:8e⁻
Shell 3:18e⁻
Shell 4:32e⁻
Shell 5:18e⁻
Shell 6:4e⁻
Real-World Uses
Car batteries
Radiation shielding
Soundproofing
Fishing weights
Ammunition
Fun Fact
Some historians believe lead poisoning contributed to the fall of the Roman Empire — Romans used lead pots and pipes and added lead compounds to sweeten wine!