Element 48

Cadmium (Cd)

Transition metal · Period 5 · Group 12 · d-block

Cadmium (Cd) is element 48 of the periodic table, a transition metal in period 5, group 12 (d-block) with an atomic mass of 112.41 and is a solid at standard conditions.

At a glance

Atomic number
48
Symbol
Cd
Atomic mass
112.41 u
Category
Transition metals
Period
5
Group
12
Block
d-block
Phase at STP
solid

Electron structure

Electron configuration
1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 3d10 4s2 4p6 4d10 5s2
Shorthand configuration
[Kr] 4d10 5s2
Electrons per shell
2, 8, 18, 18, 2
Oxidation states
-2, +1, +2

Physical properties

Melting point
594.22 K
Boiling point
1040 K
Density
8.69 g/cm3
Phase
solid

Atomic properties

Electronegativity (Pauling)
1.69
Atomic radius
161 pm
Covalent radius
144 pm
Van der Waals radius
158 pm
First ionization energy
868 kJ/mol
Electron affinity
0 kJ/mol

Notable isotopes

IsotopeMassAbundanceStability
Cd-114113.9033628.73%Stable

Common uses

  • Batteries
  • Pigments
  • Coatings
  • Solar cells

Discovery

Year
1817
Discovered by
Friedrich Stromeyer
Country
Germany

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