82PbLead207.21[Xe] 4f¹⁴ 5d¹⁰ 6s² 6p²
post-transition metal

Lead

Lead (/lɛd/) is a chemical element in the carbon group with symbol Pb (from Latin:plumbum) and atomic number 82. Lead is a soft, malleable and heavy post-transition metal. Metallic lead has a bluish-white color after being freshly cut, but it soon tarnishes to a dull grayish color when exposed to air.

Electronic structure

A stylized shell model. Electrons are quantum objects, not particles following these literal paths. Sizes and motion are illustrative.

Electrons by shell
Electron configuration
4f14
5d10
6s2
6p2

54 is the [Xe] core total across five shells.

Properties

At a glance

Atomic number
82
Atomic mass
207.21 u
Phase
Solid
Density
11.34 g/cm³
Melting point
600.61 K
Boiling point
2,022 K
First ionization energy
715.6 kJ/mol
Electronegativity
1.87
Electron affinity
34.4204 kJ/mol
Molar heat capacity
26.65 J/(mol·K)
Period
6
Appearance
metallic gray

Conditions and isotopes affect measured properties. Some properties of short-lived elements are predicted. Electronegativity uses the Pauling scale.

Keep exploring

Explore the stories, imagery, and reference data in more depth. Properties with no value in the reference are marked unavailable.