Lead (Pb)
Post-transition metal
Lead is dense, soft and easy to cast — which made it the Roman Empire's plumbing metal and the modern world's battery workhorse. Its toxicity, especially to children's development, has driven it out of petrol, paint and pipes.
Position on the periodic table
Atomic properties
| Atomic number | 82 |
|---|---|
| Atomic mass | 207.21 amu |
| Electron configuration | 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 3d10 4p6 5s2 4d10 5p6 6s2 4f14 5d10 6p2 |
| Noble gas shorthand | [Xe] 4f14 5d10 6s2 6p2 |
| Electrons per shell | 2, 8, 18, 32, 18, 4 |
| Valence electrons (outer shell) | 4 |
| Common oxidation states | +2, +4 |
| Electronegativity (Pauling) | 1.87 |
| Covalent radius (approx.) | 146 pm |
| First ionization energy | 715.6 kJ/mol |
| Electron affinity | 34.4 kJ/mol |
Physical properties
| State at 25 °C | Solid |
|---|---|
| Density | 11.34 g/cm³ |
| Melting point | 327.46 °C (600.61 K) |
| Boiling point | 1748.8 °C (2022 K) |
| Appearance | metallic gray |
| Radioactive | No |
| Origin | Occurs naturally |
Electron configuration of lead
Lead's ground-state electron configuration is 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 3d10 4p6 5s2 4d10 5p6 6s2 4f14 5d10 6p2, usually shortened to [Xe] 4f14 5d10 6s2 6p2. Its electrons occupy 6 shells (2, 8, 18, 32, 18, 4), placing it in period 6 of the p-block. The 4 outer-shell electrons drive its bonding behaviour. Explore it interactively in the electron configuration calculator.
Uses of lead
- Car batteries (lead-acid) — the dominant use
- Radiation shielding in hospitals and labs
- Cable sheathing and roofing (historic)
- Ammunition and counterweights
Biological role: None — toxic; it disrupts enzymes and harms the developing brain.
Occurrence: Mined as galena (PbS); heavily recycled from batteries.
Common compounds of lead
History and discovery
Discovered: Known since ancient times — Middle East. Name origin: From Old English lead; the symbol Pb is from Latin plumbum.
Smelted for at least 6,000 years; Roman ice cores still record ancient lead-smelting pollution.
Safety notes
Lead accumulates in the body and is especially harmful to children — the reason leaded petrol and paint were banned.
Educational context only — always follow your school's laboratory rules and never handle chemicals without proper supervision. See our disclaimer.
Practice questions
Quick practice: Lead
1. What is the chemical symbol of Lead?
2. What is the atomic number of Lead?
3. Which category does Lead belong to?
4. What is the state of Lead at room temperature?
5. Which period of the periodic table is Lead in?
Lead FAQs
What is the atomic number of lead?
Lead's atomic number is 82 — every lead atom has 82 protons in its nucleus.
What is the symbol for lead?
Pb. From Old English lead; the symbol Pb is from Latin plumbum.
Is lead a metal, nonmetal, or metalloid?
Lead is classified as a post-transition metal.
What state is lead at room temperature?
At about 25 °C, lead is a solid. It melts at 327.46 °C.
How many valence electrons does lead have?
Lead has 4 electrons in its outer shell (shell pattern: 2, 8, 18, 32, 18, 4).
What is lead used for?
Key uses include: car batteries (lead-acid) — the dominant use; radiation shielding in hospitals and labs; cable sheathing and roofing (historic).
Related elements
Keep working with this element
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