82207.2PbLead
Lead (Pb) — element 82post-transition metal · group 14, period 6
Lead is a chemical element with the symbol Pb and atomic number 82. It is a post-transition metal in group 14, period 6 of the periodic table (the p-block), with a standard atomic mass of 207.2 u. At room temperature (25 °C) lead is a solid.
💡 Known for: A dense, soft metal used in car batteries and radiation shielding; its toxicity led to its removal from petrol and paint.
# Lead properties
| Symbol | Pb |
|---|---|
| Atomic number | 82 |
| Atomic mass | 207.2 u |
| Category | post-transition metal |
| Group | 14 |
| Period | 6 |
| Block | p-block |
| Electron configuration | [Xe] 4f¹⁴ 5d¹⁰ 6s² 6p² |
| Full configuration | 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 3d¹⁰ 4s² 4p⁶ 4d¹⁰ 4f¹⁴ 5s² 5p⁶ 5d¹⁰ 6s² 6p² |
| Electrons per shell | 2, 8, 18, 32, 18, 4 |
| Protons / electrons | 82 / 82 |
| State at 25 °C | solid |
| Melting point | 600.61 K (327.5 °C, 621.4 °F) |
| Boiling point | 2022 K (1748.8 °C, 3179.9 °F) |
| Density | 11.34 g/cm³ |
| Electronegativity (Pauling) | 1.87 |
| First ionization energy | 7.417 eV |
| Atomic radius | 154 pm |
| Discovered | known since ancient times |
# Electron configuration of lead
The electron configuration of lead is [Xe] 4f¹⁴ 5d¹⁰ 6s² 6p², written out in full as 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 3d¹⁰ 4s² 4p⁶ 4d¹⁰ 4f¹⁴ 5s² 5p⁶ 5d¹⁰ 6s² 6p². Its 82 electrons fill 6 shells as 2, 8, 18, 32, 18, 4, so the outermost shell holds 4 electrons. As a group 14 element, lead has 4 valence electrons.
# Related elements
TlThalliumprevious elementBiBismuthnext elementCCarbongroup 14SiSilicongroup 14GeGermaniumgroup 14SnTingroup 14FlFleroviumgroup 14AlAluminiumpost-transition metalGaGalliumpost-transition metalInIndiumpost-transition metalPoPoloniumpost-transition metalNhNihoniumpost-transition metalMcMoscoviumpost-transition metalLvLivermoriumpost-transition metal
# Lead FAQ
What is the atomic number of lead?
The atomic number of lead is 82: every lead atom has 82 protons in its nucleus. Its symbol is Pb.
What is the atomic mass of lead?
The standard atomic mass of lead is 207.2 u.
What is the electron configuration of lead?
Lead's electron configuration is [Xe] 4f¹⁴ 5d¹⁰ 6s² 6p² (1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 3d¹⁰ 4s² 4p⁶ 4d¹⁰ 4f¹⁴ 5s² 5p⁶ 5d¹⁰ 6s² 6p²), with 2, 8, 18, 32, 18, 4 electrons per shell.
Is lead a metal?
Yes. Lead is a post-transition metal, one of the metals.
What is the melting point of lead?
Lead melts at 600.61 K (327.5 °C, 621.4 °F) and boils at 2022 K (1748.8 °C, 3179.9 °F).
What is lead used for / known for?
A dense, soft metal used in car batteries and radiation shielding; its toxicity led to its removal from petrol and paint.