Lead (Pb)
"The Dense Defender, Lead is the ultimate heavy shield, absorbing dangerous rays and holding secrets deep within its mass, but this silent protector has a dark side if underestimated."
A memorable persona to anchor Pb in your mind.
11.34
Grams per cm³
327.462
Celsius (°C)
202
Radius (pm)
Daily Life Link
Think of those surprisingly heavy fishing sinkers or the old-school battery that starts your car.
Discovery & History
Year Discovered
Ancient
Discovered By
Unknown
Origin of Name
"The name comes from the Anglo-Saxon word for the metal, ''lead''"
Technical Properties
Atomic Mass
207.2 u
Standard State
solid
Boiling Point
1749°C
Electron Configuration
[Xe] 4f145d106s26p2
1st Ionization Energy
7.417 eV
Electron Affinity
N/A
Oxidation States
"A soft, silvery-gray metal that quickly dulls to a matte, grayish finish when exposed to air."
Did You Know?
Mind-Boggling Density: Lead packs a serious punch when it comes to weight! It's one of the densest common metals, making it feel incredibly heavy for its size.
Super Soft Metal: Forget hard steel! Lead is so surprisingly soft, you can easily scratch it with your fingernail. That's rare for a metal!
Radiation Blocker Extraordinaire: Need to stop X-rays or gamma rays? Lead is your go-to! Its dense atomic structure makes it a champion shield against dangerous radiation.
The Roman's Deadly Secret: Ancient Romans used lead for everything from pipes to cookware (that's where 'plumbing' comes from – *plumbum* is Latin for lead!), unknowingly poisoning themselves for centuries.