Element Family
Transition Metal
Lanthanide
Space Group Name
P63/mmc
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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.
- Promethium metal found in Pitchblende.
- Promethium metal is highly radioactive metal.
Sources
Found As a By-product, Found in Minerals, Mining
Found in Minerals, Mining
Who Discovered
Karl Samuel Leberecht Hermann and Friedrich Stromeyer
Chien Shiung Wu, Emilio Segrè, Hans Bethe
Discovery
In 1817
In 1942
Abundance In Meteorites
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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.
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Almost 80% of Cadmium metal is used in Nickel cadmium Batteries and now it is getting replaced with nickel hydride.
- It is used for research purpose. Very small amount of this metal is used in atomic batteries.
- Its radioactive decay is used for a phosphor to give off light. The light emitted is converted into electricity.
Industrial Uses
Aerospace Industry, Ammunition Industry, Chemical Industry, Electrical Industry, Electronic Industry
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Present in Human Body
Yes
No
Physical State
Solid
Solid
Color
Silvery Bluish-Gray
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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
Ionization, Radioactive Isotopes, Solubility
Electron Configuration
[Kr] 4d10 5s2
[Xe] 4f5 6s2
Crystal Structure
Hexagonal Close Packed (HCP)
Double Hexagonal Close Packed (DHCP)
Crystal Lattice
HCP-Crystal-Structure-of-Cadmium.jpg#100
DHCP-Crystal-Structure-of-Promethium.jpg#100
Valence Electron Potential
Lattice Angles
π/2, π/2, 2 π/3
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Density At Room Temperature
Density When Liquid (at m.p.)
Other Mechanical Properties
Ductile, Malleable
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Magnetic Ordering
Diamagnetic
Paramagnetic
Electrical Property
Semiconductor
Conductor