Question

Percentage of lead in a lead pencil is:
A. zero
B. 20
C. 80
D. 70

Answer 1

Hint: Lead is an element with its Latin name Plumbum. The symbol of lead is Pb and its atomic number is 82. It is a heavy metal with high density. The color of lead is silvery with a hint of blue. So first we have to find the components that make up a lead pencil and their percentages. From this we need the percentage of lead in it.

Complete answer:We are given to find the percentage of lead in a lead pencil.
Lead is a metal which belongs to the 14th group and a p-block element. Lead is a soft malleable metal with high density. It is mostly used in making batteries such as Lead-acid batteries. It is a very reactive metal.
So to make a lead pencil, we need graphite not lead. Graphite is a form of carbon and Graphite is mixed with clay and formed into lead pencils. Graphite is a non-toxic material.
So as there is no lead present in lead pencils, the percentage of lead in a lead pencil is obviously zero.

Hence, the correct option is Option A, zero.

Note:As we can see, there is a word “lead” in lead pencil, but actually there will be no lead present in lead pencils. So do not get misconceived that as the name lead-pencil has the word “lead” in it, the object will also have the component in it. One more example is that Iceland is a country which has greenery and Greenland is a country which is covered with ice.