48 Cd 112.41

Cadmium

Transition Metal

Cadmium (Cd) is a chemical element with atomic number 48, classified as a transition metal. At room temperature it is a solid. It was discovered in 1817 by Karl Samuel Leberecht Hermann, Friedrich Stromeyer.

Properties

Atomic number
48
Atomic mass
112.41 u
Category
Transition Metal
Group
12
Period
5
Block
d-block
Electron configuration
[Kr] 4d¹⁰ 5s²
Phase at STP
Solid
Density
8.69 g/cm³
Melting point
594.22 K (321.1 °C)
Boiling point
1040 K (766.9 °C)
Electronegativity
1.69
Atomic radius
161 pm
Ionization energy
8.994 eV
Discovery
1817 · Karl Samuel Leberecht Hermann, Friedrich Stromeyer

Common uses

Batteries, pigments, coatings, nuclear reactors

Did you know?

Highly toxic but essential for some rechargeable batteries.