48 Cd 112.414

Cadmium

transition metal

Properties

Atomic number
48
Atomic mass
112.414 u
Category
transition metal
Group
12
Period
5
Block
d-block
State (room temp)
Solid
Outer-shell electrons
2
Electronegativity
1.69 (Pauling)
Density
8.65 g/cm³
Melting point
321.07 °C
Boiling point
766.85 °C

Electron configuration

1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 4s² 3d¹⁰ 4p⁶ 5s² 4d¹⁰

Noble-gas shorthand: [Kr] 4d¹⁰ 5s²

Electrons per shell: 2, 8, 18, 18, 2, which is 2 in the outermost shell.

Related: electron configuration, the Bohr model, valence electrons.

Cd
Bohr model; outer-shell electrons in blue

About Cadmium

Cadmium is a chemical element with symbol Cd and atomic number 48. This soft, bluish-white metal is chemically similar to the two other stable metals in group 12, zinc and mercury. Like zinc, it prefers oxidation state +2 in most of its compounds and like mercury it shows a low melting point compared to transition metals.

Cadmium: frequently asked questions

What is Cadmium?
Cadmium (Cd) is the chemical element with atomic number 48. It is a metal: specifically a transition metal.
What is the atomic number of Cadmium?
Cadmium's atomic number is 48, which means every Cadmium atom has 48 protons in its nucleus.
What is the electron configuration of Cadmium?
The electron configuration of Cadmium is 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 3d10 4p6 5s2 4d10 (noble-gas shorthand: [Kr] 4d10 5s2). Its electrons are arranged in shells of 2, 8, 18, 18, 2, with 2 in the outermost shell.
Is Cadmium a metal or a nonmetal?
Cadmium is a metal: specifically a transition metal.
What group and period is Cadmium in?
Cadmium is in group 12 and period 5 of the periodic table.
Is Cadmium a solid, liquid, or gas?
At room temperature, Cadmium is a solid.

Position in the periodic table

Open the interactive periodic table →

Data compiled from Wikipedia, PubChem, and IUPAC. Source.