Element Family
Transition Metal
Actinide
Space Group Name
P63/mmc
P121/m1
Interesting Facts
- Naturally occurring minor elements include Cadmium.
- Cadmium is released into atmosphere to control volcanic eruption and forest fires.
- It is used for electroplating of Steel for corrosion resistance.
- It can absorb neutrons and used in nuclear reactor to control atomic fission.
- Plutonium metal if obtain from ores of uranium metal.
- Plutonium metal is very sensitive to the change in atmospheric conditions like temperature and pressure.
Sources
Found As a By-product, Found in Minerals, Mining
Mining, Ores of metals
Who Discovered
Karl Samuel Leberecht Hermann and Friedrich Stromeyer
Glenn T. Seaborg, Arthur Wahl, Joseph W. Kennedy, Edwin McMillan
Discovery
In 1817
In Between 1940 1941
Abundance In Meteorites
-
Abundance In Earth's Crust
Uses & Benefits
- It has very limited uses as it is a toxic metal and it can cause birth defects, cancer, etc.
-
Almost 80% of Cadmium metal is used in Nickel cadmium Batteries and now it is getting replaced with nickel hydride.
- Plutonium was used in atomic bombs and still it is being used in various weapons and Ammunition industry.
-
It is also used in nuclear power plant as source of energy for space missions.
Industrial Uses
Aerospace Industry, Ammunition Industry, Chemical Industry, Electrical Industry, Electronic Industry
Aerospace Industry, Ammunition Industry
Present in Human Body
Yes
No
Physical State
Solid
Solid
Color
Silvery Bluish-Gray
Silvery White
Pauling Electronegativity
Sanderson Electronegativity
Allred Rochow Electronegativity
Mulliken-Jaffe Electronegativity
Pauling Electropositivity
Electrochemical Equivalent
Other Chemical Properties
Chemical Stability, Anti Corrosion, Ionization, Radioactive Isotopes, Solubility
Corrosion, Ionization, Radioactive Isotopes, Radioactivity
Electron Configuration
[Kr] 4d10 5s2
[Rn] 5f6 7s2
Crystal Structure
Hexagonal Close Packed (HCP)
Monoclinic (MON)
Crystal Lattice
HCP-Crystal-Structure-of-Cadmium.jpg#100
MON-Crystal-Structure-of-Plutonium.jpg#100
Valence Electron Potential
Lattice Angles
π/2, π/2, 2 π/3
-
Density At Room Temperature
Density When Liquid (at m.p.)
Other Mechanical Properties
Ductile, Malleable
Ductile, Malleable
Magnetic Ordering
Diamagnetic
Paramagnetic
Electrical Property
Semiconductor
Poor Conductor