Lead(II) chloride facts for kids
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Lead(II) chloride, also known as plumbous chloride, is a chemical compound. Its chemical formula is PbCl2. This means it is made of one lead atom and two chloride atoms. The lead in this compound has a special electrical charge, called a +2 oxidation state. It is important to know that using lead compounds can be risky because they might cause lead poisoning.
What it's like
Lead(II) chloride is a colorless solid. It looks like tiny crystals. It does not dissolve very well in plain water. However, it can dissolve in other liquids that contain chloride ions. It can also react with very hot, melted sodium nitrite to form lead(II) oxide.
How it's made
You can make Lead(II) chloride in a few ways. One common way is to mix sodium chloride (which is regular table salt) or hydrochloric acid with lead nitrate. It can also be made by reacting lead(IV) oxide with hydrochloric acid. Another way to create it is by mixing chlorine gas directly with lead metal.
What it's used for
Lead(II) chloride is used to make ceramics. Ceramics are things like pottery or tiles. A special type of lead chloride is also used to make pigments. Pigments are the colorful powders used in paints and dyes.
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