Element 82 · Post-transition metal
Lead (Pb) — Element 82
Anglo-Saxon lead
Lead (Pb) is a post-transition metal in Period 6, Group 14 of the periodic table with atomic number 82, standard atomic weight 207.2 u, and ground-state electron configuration [Xe] 4f¹⁴ 5d¹⁰ 6s² 6p². At standard temperature and pressure it is classified as a solid with 4 valence electrons and common oxidation states +2, +4.
Batteries, shielding, solder
What are the atomic properties and physical constants of Lead?
Reference constants compiled from IUPAC standard atomic weights, the NIST Atomic Spectra Database, and the CRC Handbook.
- Atomic number (Z)
- 82
- Standard atomic mass
- 207.2 u
- Chemical family
- Post-transition metal
- Ground-state configuration
- [Xe] 4f¹⁴ 5d¹⁰ 6s² 6p²
- Electrons per shell
- 2, 8, 18, 32, 18, 4
- Valence electrons
- 4
- Common ion charges / oxidation states
- +2, +4
- Phase at STP
- Solid
- Pauling electronegativity
- 2.33 Pauling
- First ionization energy
- 716 kJ/mol
- Atomic radius
- 154 pm
- Melting point
- 328 °C
- Boiling point
- 1,749 °C
- Discovery year
- Ancient
- Table coordinate
- Period 6, Group 14
- Radioactivity
- Has stable isotope(s)
How are electrons arranged across Lead’s shells?
A neutral Lead atom contains 82 electrons distributed across 6 occupied principal energy shells ([Xe] 4f¹⁴ 5d¹⁰ 6s² 6p²). The table below compares Lead’s shell occupancy against each shell’s theoretical 2n² capacity.
| Principal Shell (n) | Spectroscopic Letter | Electrons in Pb | Max Shell Capacity (2n²) |
|---|---|---|---|
| n = 1 | K | 2 e⁻ | 2 e⁻ |
| n = 2 | L | 8 e⁻ | 8 e⁻ |
| n = 3 | M | 18 e⁻ | 18 e⁻ |
| n = 4 | N | 32 e⁻ | 32 e⁻ |
| n = 5 | O | 18 e⁻ | 50 e⁻ |
| n = 6 | P | 4 e⁻ | 72 e⁻ |
Frequently Asked Questions about Lead (Pb)
What is the atomic mass and atomic number of Lead (Pb)?
Lead (Pb) has atomic number Z = 82 (82 protons in its nucleus) and an IUPAC standard atomic weight of 207.2 u. It sits in Period 6, Group 14 and is classified as a post-transition metal.
What is the ground-state electron configuration of Lead?
The neutral ground-state electron configuration of Lead (Z = 82) is [Xe] 4f¹⁴ 5d¹⁰ 6s² 6p². Across its 6 occupied principal shells (n = 1 to n = 6), the electrons per shell are 2, 8, 18, 32, 18, 4, with 4 valence electrons participating in bonding.
What are the common ion charges and electronegativity of Lead?
Lead commonly forms +2, +4 oxidation states or ion charges in compounds. Its Pauling electronegativity is 2.33 and its first ionization energy is 716 kJ/mol.
When was Lead discovered and what is it used for?
Lead was discovered in Ancient (Anglo-Saxon lead). Batteries, shielding, solder
How does Lead compare to neighboring elements?
Other post-transition metal elements: