0
Lead pencils used to contain lead. Now, graphite or a mixture of graphite and clay powder is used, but old habits die hard and some people still call them lead pencils. Also, even though lead has not been used in pencils for a long time, the paint on the outside contained lead until the middle of the 20th century. This was harmful for people who had a habit of chewing on their pencils.
Wiki User
∙ 9y ago
Add your answer:
Earn +20 pts
What Si unit would you use to measure the width of a pencil lead?
Pencil lead is very narrow. Millimeter can be used to measure it.
Does sucking on a lead pencil give you lead poisoning?
Actually, the "lead" of a pencil is not lead at all. It is actually graphite. If it were lead, you would get very sick and die from lead poisoning...and as tasty as that pencil tip may look, it probably wont taste good and you really shouldn't eat it. Nonetheless, the graphite probably wont hurt too bad even if you decide to eat it.
Why is graphite suitable to make pencil leads?
Another answer on answers.com claims, "It's a common misconception that pencil lead is or has ever been constituted of the element lead. It's true that thousands of years ago the element lead was formed into cylinders and used to make marks on papyrus, however, wooden pencils or any instrument since does not use lead (lead is a heavy metal and using pure lead in form can cause major health problems with extended exposure). Pencils now are made of graphite or some other pigment. However, graphite in solid form was discovered in the 16th century and at the time was thought to be some type of lead, which is why many people today still call pencil lead: lead."This seems to be the most plausible explanation.
What element element is in the carbon family often mistaken for the end of your pencil?
Pencils use Graphite, not lead. Graphite is made of carbon, and no one mistakes a pencil of having carbon. They may mistake it of having lead, in which it is corrected that pencils no longer use lead-but instead use Graphite, which is made of carbon. It is not often mistaken that a pencil is made of carbon. Because it is made of carbon, so how you can make a mistake by thinking the pencil is made of graphite? Its true, not a mistake. This riddle is probably backwards? Or its just a trick question, I dont even know.
Can a dog eat lead that is for a lead pencil?
I wouldn't suggest just letting your dog chew on a pencil, but I don't think it will kill them. My dog has chewed on several pencils (without me knowing until finding the evidence) and so far nothing has happened to her. She was still the same as far as hyper activity and she didn't vomit or have diarrhea. But, with that, all dogs are different just as people are different and one dog might react to something differently than another.
What is the driffrent numbers on the side of the pencils for?
The number of the pencil is based on the type of carbon lead used inside. The thicker the carbon lead gets the higher the number of the pencil becomes. If you notice a mechanical pencil is 0.9mm in diameter so it would be called a #0.9 pencil. A #2 pencil's lead is 2mm in diameter. So Why would we call a pencil a #3 pencil? Because it's lead is 3mm in diameter.
Can you get lead poisoning from a number two pencil?
Pencils have never been made from lead. They are made with Graphite, a form of carbon. So you can not get lead poisoning from a pencil.
What size millimeter is the lead of a no 1 pencil?
.There are so many units of length.2 mm is the lead of a no 1 pencil .
Does lead pencil contain lead in any form if yes what is name and formula or lead compound if there is no lead in leaded pencils why they are called so?
No, the "lead" is graphite.
What Si unit would you use to measure the width of a pencil lead?
Pencil lead is very narrow. Millimeter can be used to measure it.
Is eating lead from pencil harmful?
Lead is poisonous so eating lead would be harmful. However most pencils are now made from graphite, although people refer to it a lead still. Graphite from a pencil is harmless.
Why was the lead pencil invented?
so that people could write
IS A pencil a mechanical mixture or a solution or a pure substance?
Pure
Does sucking on a lead pencil give you lead poisoning?
Actually, the "lead" of a pencil is not lead at all. It is actually graphite. If it were lead, you would get very sick and die from lead poisoning...and as tasty as that pencil tip may look, it probably wont taste good and you really shouldn't eat it. Nonetheless, the graphite probably wont hurt too bad even if you decide to eat it.
Why is graphite suitable to make pencil leads?
Another answer on answers.com claims, "It's a common misconception that pencil lead is or has ever been constituted of the element lead. It's true that thousands of years ago the element lead was formed into cylinders and used to make marks on papyrus, however, wooden pencils or any instrument since does not use lead (lead is a heavy metal and using pure lead in form can cause major health problems with extended exposure). Pencils now are made of graphite or some other pigment. However, graphite in solid form was discovered in the 16th century and at the time was thought to be some type of lead, which is why many people today still call pencil lead: lead."This seems to be the most plausible explanation.
Can you die from getting pencil lead in finger?
No, pencils nowadays do not actually contain poisonous lead so you'll be fine:)
What element element is in the carbon family often mistaken for the end of your pencil?
Pencils use Graphite, not lead. Graphite is made of carbon, and no one mistakes a pencil of having carbon. They may mistake it of having lead, in which it is corrected that pencils no longer use lead-but instead use Graphite, which is made of carbon. It is not often mistaken that a pencil is made of carbon. Because it is made of carbon, so how you can make a mistake by thinking the pencil is made of graphite? Its true, not a mistake. This riddle is probably backwards? Or its just a trick question, I dont even know.
