Lead
🔋 In Your World
Lead is a dense, soft, and highly malleable metal that has been used by humans for millennia. Its most important modern use is in lead-acid batteries, which are used to start most cars. Because of its extreme density, it is an excellent shield against radiation and is used in X-ray aprons and to line rooms where radiation is used. Historically, it was used in pipes, paint, and gasoline, but these uses have been phased out due to its toxicity.
📖 The Discovery Story
Lead is one of the seven metals of antiquity and has been known since ancient times, with no single person credited for its discovery. The ancient Romans used it extensively for water pipes and plumbing. This is the origin of its symbol, Pb, which comes from its Latin name, plumbum. The English words "plumbing" and "plumber" are derived from this Latin root.
📊 Properties at a Glance
| Phase at STP | Solid |
| Melting Point | 327.46 °C / 621.43 °F |
| Boiling Point | 1749 °C / 3180 °F |
| Electron Configuration | [Xe] 4f¹⁴5d¹⁰6s²6p² |
| Abundance in Earth's Crust | 0.0014% |
⚠️ Safety & Handling
Lead is a highly toxic heavy metal and a potent neurotoxin. It accumulates in the body and can cause severe developmental and health problems, particularly in children. There is no known safe level of exposure. Its use in paint, gasoline, and plumbing has been banned or heavily restricted in most countries to prevent widespread lead poisoning.