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Lead
Lead (IPA: /ˈlɛd/) is a chemical element in the periodic table that has the symbol Pb (Latin: plumbum) and atomic number 82. more...
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A soft, heavy, toxic and malleable poor metal, lead is bluish white when freshly cut but tarnishes to dull gray when exposed to air. Lead is used in building construction, lead-acid batteries, bullets and shot, and is part of solder, pewter, and fusible alloys. Lead has the highest atomic number of all stable elements - although the next element, bismuth, has a half life so long it can be considered stable. Like mercury, another heavy metal, lead is a potent neurotoxin which accumulates in soft tissues and bone over time.
Notable characteristics
Lead has a dull luster and is a dense, ductile, very soft, highly malleable, bluish-white metal that has poor electrical conductivity. This true metal is highly resistant to corrosion. Because of this property, it is used to contain corrosive liquids (e.g. sulfuric acid). Lead can be toughened by adding a small amount of antimony or other metals to it. Lead is the only metal in which there is zero Thomson effect. Lead is also poisonous. All lead, except 204Pb, is the end product of a complex radioactive decay (see isotopes of lead below).
Applications
Lead is a major constituent of the lead-acid battery used extensively in car batteries.;
Lead is used as a coloring element in ceramic glazes, notably in the colors red and yellow.;
Lead is used as projectiles for firearms and fishing sinkers because of its density, low cost compared to alternative products and ease of use due to relatively low melting point.;
Lead is used in some candles to treat the wick to ensure a longer, more even burn. Because of the dangers, European and North American manufacturers use more expensive alternatives such as zinc.;
Lead is used as shielding from radiation.;
Molten lead is used as a coolant, eg. for lead cooled fast reactors.;
Lead glass is composed of 12-28% lead oxide. It changes the optical characteristics of the glass and reduces the transmission of radiation.;
Lead is the traditional base metal of organ pipes, mixed with varying amounts of tin to control the tone of the pipe.;
Lead is used as electrodes in the process of electrolysis.;
Lead is used in solder for electronics, although this usage is being phased out to reduce the amount of environmentally unfriendly waste.;
Lead is used in high voltage power cables as sheathing material to prevent water diffusion into insulation.;
Lead is used for the ballast keel of sailboats. Its high weight-to-volume ratio allows it to counterbalance the heeling effect of wind on the sails while at the same time occupying a small volume and thus offering the least underwater resistance.;
Lead is added to brass to reduce machine tool wear.;
Lead sheets are used as roofing material.;
Lead is frequently used in scuba diving weight belts to counteract the natural buoyancy of neoprene wetsuits.;
It is also used in weights used in angling.;
Read more at Wikipedia.org
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