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No. This is totally untrue. There is no lead in pencils - not even in the paint they are painted with! The reason for this is caused by confusion over the name of the filler. The substance inside a pencil that does the actual writing is called graphite. This is a crystalline form of carbon (another is diamond, another is a substance called buckminsterfullerene, and the third, non-crystalline form, is charcoal). The graphite is often mixed with differing amounts of clay to create pencils of different hardnesses. Graphite is found as a mineral in the ground. Lead is also found as a mineral in the ground as the lead ore 'lead sulphide' or 'Galena'. The mineral Galena looks very similar to graphite, except that graphite is darker in colour than lead ore. Therefore, many years ago graphite used to be called 'black lead' from its appearance. So, when pencils were invented, they were filled with graphite - or 'black lead', and eventually this was shortened to 'lead' but there is absolutely no connection with the 'lead' (i.e. black lead) found in pencils with the metal lead. The "lead" in pencils was always, is, and always will be, made of graphite.
Wiki User
∙ 16y ago
Wiki User
∙ 13y agoNo it's graphite, a form of carbon.
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Is most pencil filled with lead?
Some pencil's are filled with lead, but rarely any nowadays. Pencils use to be filled with lead, but now pencils are typically filled with graphite as lead is poisonous to humans.
What do we use for lead in pencils?
It is called "lead" because the original pencils were made from soft lead. However lead is a toxic heavy metal.Modern pencil "lead" is made of graphite and a binder. The most common binders are clay or plastic resin. This is completely nontoxic and the hardness can be precisely controlled to meet the requirements of different users.
What makes diamond most suitable for cutting hard material while graphite best for making pencils?
Both diamond and graphite are alltropes of carbon. But the crystal structure of diamond makes it the hardest natural mineral, while the crystal structure of graphite makes it a natural for pencils.
How do you separate the mixture of a pen and pencil in a pencil case?
You would visually recognise a pencil from a pen. You would remove either the pencils or pens, depending on what you want your pencil case to contain. Most probably, you would want a mixture of pencils and pens, so the final choice is yours.
Which of these elements is the most chemically active?
Fluorine is sometimes called the hungry wolf of the periodic table because it is the most reactive element.
What element is present in lead graphite?
Graphite is a form of Carbon, so its carbon in lead graphite. Notice that lead itself is a different element but the term "lead graphite" is generally used for that black substance which makes the "lead pencils". Note that there is no lead in lead pencils, its carbon, in the shape of graphite.
Is a pencil poison?
If your asking if the pencil has Lead, then the answer is that most pencils do NOT have lead in them anymore.
Is most pencil filled with lead?
Some pencil's are filled with lead, but rarely any nowadays. Pencils use to be filled with lead, but now pencils are typically filled with graphite as lead is poisonous to humans.
What is the full process in steps of making lead used in pencils?
1. Find lead 2. Put in pencil Btw most pencils use graphite
What elements found in pencil?
Modern pencil "lead" is made from the element Carbon (C) - in its soft form of graphite - plus a filler (like clay), all ground up very fine and then stuck together with glue. It has none of the actual chemical element Lead (Pb).Further informationThe name "lead" is used because, before modern pencils were invented, it was known that a pure piece of the element Lead (Pb) can be used to make marks on wood or paper because it is very soft. It is not used today because real Lead and its compounds are poisonous and also very expensive compared to Carbon. (Carbon is basically soot.)
Do mecanical pencils have lead in them?
No, they have graphite. Soon after people realized that lead is very toxic and poisonous, they removed it from most writing devices and such.
What do we use for lead in pencils?
It is called "lead" because the original pencils were made from soft lead. However lead is a toxic heavy metal.Modern pencil "lead" is made of graphite and a binder. The most common binders are clay or plastic resin. This is completely nontoxic and the hardness can be precisely controlled to meet the requirements of different users.
What are major uses of lead?
usually lead can be found in most graphite pencils as well as childrens toys if you know about the possibility of lead poisining in china. as well as cable wires and most technology. XD
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.
Is pencil lead a conductor?
Yes, pencil lead is a conductor of electricity. Lead is a metal. Most metals are good conductors of heat and electricity. Assuming of course you mean pencils back when lead was actually used as the writing medium in the pencil, then yes. Other than that, pencils nowadays are made using graphite as the writing medium. But graphite too can conduct electricity.
Are pencils deadly?
Generally, pencils are not deadly. However, like most things, they can be used as a weapon to injure or even kill someone. The risk of lead poisoning is very low nowadays since pencils now contain graphite as opposed to lead. Occasionally, stab wounds from pencils can be damaging to underlying tissue and organs.
What is the most elastic substance in the world?
Lead is the most stretchable of any element.
