Definition:Lead (Chemical Element)

Previous  ... Next

Chemical Element

Lead is the chemical element that has $82$ protons in the nuclei of its atoms

Its chemical symbol is $\text {Pb}$.

Isotopes

Pb-$208$

Lead-$208$ is the isotope of lead which has $126$ neutrons in addition to its $82$ protons.

Pb-$208$ is the heaviest stable isotope of any element.

Linguistic Note

The word lead is pronounced in this context led, not leed.

In modern culture it is used figuratively as a metaphor for heaviness.

Its symbol $\text {Pb}$ derives from the Latin word for lead, that is, plumbum.