48Cd112.414
Cadmium
Transition metals · solid at STP · Block D
About
Cadmium is a soft, bluish-white metal chemically similar to zinc and mercury. Its primary use has been in nickel-cadmium (NiCd) rechargeable batteries and as an excellent corrosion-resistant plating for steel, particularly in the aerospace industry. It is also used in control rods for nuclear reactors. Due to its high toxicity, its use is now declining in many applications.
Atomic Properties
Atomic Number48
Atomic Weight112.414 u
Neutrons (common)66
Electron Configuration[Kr] 4d¹⁰ 5s²
Full Configuration1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 3d¹⁰ 4s² 4p⁶ 4d¹⁰ 5s²
Electrons per Shell2, 8, 18, 18, 2
Electronegativity1.69
Oxidation States+2
Covalent Radius148 pm
Van der Waals Radius158 pm
Ionic Radius95 pm
Periodic Table Position
Group12
Period5
BlockD
Chemical SeriesTransition metals
Physical Properties
State at STPsolid
AppearanceSilvery bluish-gray metal
Crystal Structurehcp
Magnetic Orderingdiamagnetic
Speed of Sound2,310 m/s
Poisson Ratio0.3
Thermal Properties
Melting Point594.22 K
Boiling Point1,040 K
Triple Point594.22 K
Thermal Expansion0 1/K
Thermal Conductivity96.6 W/(m·K)
Specific Heat0.232 J/(g·K)
Molar Heat26.02 J/(mol·K)
Heat of Fusion6.21 kJ/mol
Heat of Vaporization100 kJ/mol
Abundance
In Earth's Crust0.15 ppm
In Ocean0 ppm
In Solar System0.005 ppm
In Human Body0.7 ppm
In Universe0.002 ppm
Discovery
Discovered byKarl Samuel Leberecht Hermann, Friedrich Stromeyer
Discovery Year1,817
Occurrenceprimordial
CAS Number7440-43-9
Electron Configuration
Energy
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5p
6s
4f
5d
6p
7s
5f
6d
7p
Isotopes of Cadmium
| Symbol ▲ | Mass (u) ▲ | Abundance ▲ | Half-life ▲ | Decay Mode ▲ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 106Cd | 105.906460 | 1.25% | Stable | Stable |
| 108Cd | 107.904180 | 0.89% | Stable | Stable |
| 110Cd | 109.903000 | 12.49% | Stable | Stable |
| 111Cd | 110.904180 | 12.8% | Stable | Stable |
| 112Cd | 111.902760 | 24.13% | Stable | Stable |
| 113Cd | 112.904400 | 12.22% | 8.04 Py | Beta Minus Decay |
| 114Cd | 113.903360 | 28.73% | Stable | Stable |
| 116Cd | 115.904760 | 7.49% | 26.9 Ey | Double Beta Minus Decay |
Interactive Visualization
Explore the 3D Bohr model of Cadmium in our interactive viewer.
View 3D Model of Cadmium