Lead is a dense, heavy metal that has many uses due to its high density. Its high density makes it very effective for applications where weight and stability are important, like in radiation shielding and in making weights.
The density of lead can be calculated by using its mass and volume to see how compact the material is. In the exercise, the mass of lead was given as \(1.20 \times 10^{4} \, \mathrm{g}\) and its volume as \(1.05 \times 10^{3} \, \mathrm{cm}^{3}\). By plugging these values into the density formula, the density of lead was evaluated to be approximately 11.43 g/cm³.
This value signifies that lead is much denser than many other materials, meaning it has more mass packed into each cubic centimeter. This property is leveraged across diverse fields including physics and engineering for specific purposes.
- Used for protection against radiation due to its density
- Ideal for making precise weights owing to its compact nature
- Commonly found in batteries, construction, and more
Understanding the density of lead helps in choosing the right material for the right application.