Lead - a unique metal that has a lot of positive and negative characteristics, for many years people have learned to extract not only harmful, but also benefit from physical and chemical properties of the substance.Now a chemical element, such as lead, is in the periodic table numbered 82, is denoted as Pb is called "Plumbum".It gray density of lead - 11,34g / cm3 is one of the most soft metals.But do not be confused between these two scientific concepts.The density of lead in other words - it is his share of unit volume and softness is caused by the structure of the crystal lattice.Lead is a soft only in pure form, but when subjected to heat treatment at a certain temperature, it may be strong enough metal.
origin of the name "lead" is very contradictory in many languages it sounds like a "tin" is not surprising, because lead is similar to tin, which opened much later and left him his present name, but the name of the substance in question has changed.These two metals are sufficiently similar to one another, not only visually, but also some properties, although the density of lead is much higher than that of tin.
about the properties of lead and its people have learned more than 7 thousand. BC and most likely it was an accident, because the metal has a low melting point of -327 C. A case where because of a forest fire, accidentunder ash trees were detected lead bullion.Thus we discovered rich deposits of this metal in America.Lead smelter was the first known metallurgical processes that led to the production of a plurality of subjects.For example, in ancient Rome, from the dishes made of lead was added to the makeup of the metal has been made even water, aided by the high density of lead and the ability to resist negative environmental influences.People did not know that all soluble compounds that are highly toxic metal.
Subsequently, some people used the lead in the process of torture and finally invented one of the most lethal weapons - a bullet.Of course, with the help of lead was inflicted a lot of damage in the old days, but the metal is in fact innocent, were to blame people.Now in our progressive age, we learned to derive much benefit from the properties of lead, as its relative density plays in some places important role.About a third of the total production of this substance is used to make batteries for conventional cars.Also this metal is used in the fuel industry, it is added to gasoline to improve its qualities.As we age traffic jams and vehicles have almost all, the use, and then lead to evaporation of petrol vapor to the atmosphere causes enormous damage to the environment.If even take into account the evaporation of asphalt in hot weather, when the density of the bitumen decreases with increasing temperature, we could face an environmental disaster.But a person guilty of this myself!
Just think, a year into the atmosphere of more than 50 thousand. Tonnes of lead fumes.Once it is used for the ceramic industry in the production of crystal, and who has not heard of the White Lead?This material is available in many colors, which, in particular, are used for writing icons.Over time people have learned not only to protect themselves from the metal, and with the help and protect him.For example, the composition of certain learned to painkillers and anti-inflammatory medication.And one of the useful properties of this metal is its "opacity" to X-rays and radioactive that the equipment is used in X-ray rooms and in the nuclear industry.
In conclusion we can say that any chemical element has its positive features and negative, but which of them to use, only solves people and good if he uses his knowledge for the benefit of all of us!
