Lead-Acid batteries
Today, most lead is used to make lead-acid batteries, the type found in most cars. A chemical reaction within these batteries provides the electrical current necessary to power a car engine as well as the lights, instrument panel and other car accessories. The lead in lead-acid batteries can be easily recycled; in fact, 50 percent of the lead in use today comes from recycled lead, and most of it is from car batteries.
Radiation Shielding
With a density of 11.342 grams per centimeter cubed, lead is the densest of the common metals. This property makes it useful as a shield against radiation that can have detrimental effects on humans. Lead acts as a shield from X-ray and
gamma-ray radiation, making it useful around X-ray machines and nuclear reactors. Patients being X-rayed and personnel operating X-ray machines wear lead aprons or lead shields as a precaution to protect their reproductive organs from X-Rays.
gamma-ray radiation, making it useful around X-ray machines and nuclear reactors. Patients being X-rayed and personnel operating X-ray machines wear lead aprons or lead shields as a precaution to protect their reproductive organs from X-Rays.
TNT?
Because of its high density, lead lines were once used by seamen to determine water depth. Lead is also used in decorative glass and in pottery glazes. Lead azide and lead styphnate are fulminates, or compounds that explode violently with the application of heat; fulminates are used to set off gunpowder or detonate dynamite or TNT. Lead is also used to make bullets.