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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.
Wiki User
∙ 13y ago
Wiki User
∙ 14y agoIt must be categorically informed that the material at the core of the pencil is an allotropic form of carbon called graphite. The term 'lead' is wrong because lead is a metal with specific properties of its own.
Wiki User
∙ 11y agoPeople call it a "lead pencil" because in the past (around 1500), when the graphite deposit was first discovered in England, people thought it was lead or plumbago (Latin for "lead ore"). They used it to mark their sheep, and then to make the first pencils.
Chemists later declared it to be graphite, a form of carbon, but the name 'lead pencil' continues to be used, even though the 'lead pencil' has never contained any lead.
They're called lead pencils because the graphite that pencil "leads" are made from looks like lead, so that's what people thought it was.
Wiki User
∙ 14y agoWhen the first large scale graphite deposit was found, it was thought to be lead. Pencils have never actually contained lead.
Wiki User
∙ 12y agolead is actualy not used in pencils is it graphite which is non-toxic
Wiki User
∙ 12y agoWell, lead is dangerous. It can kill someone so they changed it to graphite.
Wiki User
∙ 11y ago"Graphite" is graphite. There are no other different types of graphite.
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What allotrope of carbon is used to make pencils?
yea. actually graphite, allitopes element of carbon. its not really all LEAD
What can be made of graphite?
Graphite is pure carbon. A diamond is also pure carbon in a very specific crystal. Yet diamonds do not conduct electricity and graphite does. Graphite can form in plate like arrays of hexagonal crystals and in an amorphous, powdery form.
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.
Why can pencil lead can be used to make a light bulb?
A "pencil lead" is a mixture of the graphite allotrope of carbon mixed with clay and baked hard. While a pencil lead will conduct electricity, it can not be used to make a light bulb.
What properties of the plastic make it suitable material for the pencil case?
it is durable and the material is somewhat cost-effective.
Is graphite used to make pencils?
Graphite is what is put inside a pencil. The outer casing of a pencil is usually wooden.
Why is graphite in pencil mixed with clay?
To make it harder. Pure graphite would be too soft for use as a writing pencil.
What element is used to make the leads in pencils?
Lead is a misnomer when talking about pencils. What you're actually writing/drawing with is graphite. Lead was neverused in the making of pencils.
What mineral is used to make pencil lead?
Graphite.
What mineral is used for making pencil lead?
What is the mineral used in the pencil that you write with? Graphite.
What allotrope of carbon is used to make pencils?
yea. actually graphite, allitopes element of carbon. its not really all LEAD
How do you make pencil lead by using charcoal?
pencil lead is not charcoal but rather graphite molded with clay and hardened
A type of coal commonly used in pencil lead?
Graphite is used to make pencil lead, but it is not a form of coal.
What mineral when mixed with clay is used to make pencil lead?
Graphite, a form of carbon
What are natural resources to make a pencil?
Wood, the mineral graphite, and whatever erasers are made of.
How is using a pencil an example of friction?
Because it's friction that rubs the graphite off the pencil on to the paper to make the words you write.
Why do we call graphite pencil lead pencil?
When graphite was first discovered it was thought to be a kind of black lead, rather than a form of carbon. It was quickly found to easily make marks, but brittle and needed support. The wooden lead pencil was born
