Lead (Pb): Electron Configuration, Properties and Uses
Lead (Pb): Electron Configuration, Properties and Uses
Electron configuration [Xe] 6s2 4f14 5d10 6p2 · group 14 · period 6 · Ar 207.2
Lead data
- Atomic number
- 82
- Relative atomic mass
- 207.2
- Group
- 14
- Period
- 6
- Block
- p
- Category
- Post-transition metal
- Electron configuration
- [Xe] 6s2 4f14 5d10 6p2
- Full configuration
- 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 3d10 4p6 5s2 4d10 5p6 6s2 4f14 5d10 6p2
- Electrons per shell
- 2, 8, 18, 32, 18, 4 (K L M N O P)
- Valence electrons
- 4
- Electronegativity (Pauling)
- 2.33
- First ionisation energy
- 7.417 eV
- Atomic radius (van der Waals)
- 202 pm
- State at room temperature
- Solid
- Melting point
- 327 °C
- Boiling point
- 1749 °C
- Density
- 11.342 g/cm³
- Common oxidation states
- +4, +2
- Discovered
- ancient times
Source: PubChem (NIH, accessed 13 Nov 2026); atomic mass: IUPAC standard atomic weight.
Electron shell diagram
K 2 · L 8 · M 18 · N 32 · O 18 · P 4
Orbital diagram (outer electrons)
About lead
With atomic number 82, lead (Pb) has 82 protons in its nucleus and 82 electrons as a neutral atom. It is a post-transition metal in group 14, period 6, p-block. Lead has been known and used since ancient times. The symbol Pb comes from the Latin plumbum. Lead is a solid at room temperature, melting at 327 °C and boiling at 1749 °C.
Lead electron configuration
The electron configuration of lead is 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 3d10 4p6 5s2 4d10 5p6 6s2 4f14 5d10 6p2, or in short [Xe] 6s2 4f14 5d10 6p2. Its electrons occupy 6 shells: K = 2, L = 8, M = 18, N = 32, O = 18, P = 4. Lead has 4 valence electrons in the P shell (6s2 6p2), which is why it sits in group 14. When it forms cations, electrons leave the outermost subshell first: Pb2+ = [Xe] 6s2 4f14 5d10; Pb4+ = [Xe] 4f14 5d10.
Filling order: 1s2(2) → 2s2(4) → 2p6(10) → 3s2(12) → 3p6(18) → 4s2(20) → 3d10(30) → 4p6(36) → 5s2(38) → 4d10(48) → 5p6(54) → 6s2(56) → 4f14(70) → 5d10(80) → 6p2(82)
Uses of lead
In industry and the laboratory, lead turns up in many places, for example lead-acid car batteries, X-ray radiation shielding and weights; formerly solder and leaded petrol. For research and analysis you can browse lead compounds in the AMI Scientific catalogue.
Safety
Lead is a cumulative poison, especially for children’s nervous systems. Always read the safety data sheet (SDS) before working with a chemical.
Other elements in group 14
Frequently asked questions
What is the electron configuration of lead?
The electron configuration of lead (Pb, atomic number 82) is 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 3d10 4p6 5s2 4d10 5p6 6s2 4f14 5d10 6p2, or [Xe] 6s2 4f14 5d10 6p2 in short. By shell: 2, 8, 18, 32, 18, 4.
How many valence electrons does lead have?
Lead has 4 valence electrons.
Which group and period is lead in?
Lead is in group 14, period 6, p-block.
What is the atomic mass of lead?
The relative atomic mass of lead is 207.2. Use it to calculate molar mass with the molar mass calculator.
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