What is Lead atom?

     

Lead is a chemical element with the symbol Pb and atomic number 82.  It is a heavy metal that is denser than most common materials.  Lead is soft and malleable, and also has a relatively low melting point.  When freshly cut, lead is silvery with a hint of blue; it tarnishes to a dull gray color when exposed to air.  Lead has the highest atomic number of any stable element and three of its isotopes are endpoints of major nuclear decay chains of heavier elements.  

     Lead is a relatively unreactive post-transition metal.  Its weak metallic character is illustrated by its amphoteric nature; lead and lead oxides react with acids and bases, and it tends to form covalent bonds/  Compounds of lead are usually found in the +2 oxidation state rather than the +4 state common with lighter members of the carbon group.  Exceptions are mostly limited to organolead compounds. Like the lighter members of the group, lead tends to bond with itself; it can form chains and polyhedral structures.  

     In the late 19th century, lead's toxicity was recognized, and its use has since been phased out of many applications.  However, many countries still allow the sale of products that expose humans to lead, including some types of paints and bullets.  Lead is a neurotoxin that accumulates in soft tissues and bones;  it damages the nervous system and interferes with the function of biological enzymes, causing neurological disorders, such as brain damage and behavioral problems.