Cd
Cadmium is a toxic heavy metal formerly used widely in batteries and pigments.
Physical Properties
| Atomic Mass | 112.41 u |
| Density | 8.69 g/cm³ |
| Melting Point | 594.22 K |
| Boiling Point | 1040.0 K |
| Appearance | Silvery bluish-gray metallic |
| State at Room Temp | Solid |
Chemical Properties
| Electronegativity | 1.69 (Pauling) |
| 1st Ionization Energy | 867.8 kJ/mol |
| Electron Affinity | -68.0 kJ/mol |
| Oxidation States | +1, +2 |
Atomic Properties
| Electron Configuration | [Kr] 4d10 5s2 |
| Atomic Radius | 151.0 pm |
| Covalent Radius | 144.0 pm |
| Van der Waals Radius | 158.0 pm |
Discovery
| Discovered By | Friedrich Stromeyer, Karl Samuel Leberecht Hermann |
| Discovery Year | 1817 |
| Location | Gottingen, Germany |
| Named After | Latin 'cadmia' or Greek 'kadmeia' meaning calamine |
About Cadmium
Cadmium is a soft, bluish-white metal that is toxic and classified as a carcinogen. It was widely used in NiCd batteries but its use has declined due to environmental concerns.
Uses & Applications
NiCd batteries, pigments, electroplating, nuclear reactor control rods, and solar cells.
Fun Fact
Cadmium pigments remain popular with artists because no other pigments match their brilliance, despite cadmium's toxicity.
Isotopes
| Mass Number | Abundance | Half-Life | Stable |
| 110 | 0.1249% | - | Yes |
| 111 | 0.128% | - | Yes |
| 112 | 0.2413% | - | Yes |
| 114 | 0.2873% | - | Yes |
Electron Configuration
[Kr] 4d10 5s2