Element Family
Transition Metal
Actinide
Space Group Name
P63/mmc
Cmcm
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.
- Major mining countries of Uranium include Russia, Australia, Namibia, Canada and Niger and total 33% Uranium are mine in Kazakhstan.
Sources
Found As a By-product, Found in Minerals, Mining
Earth's crust, Mining, Ores of Minerals
Who Discovered
Karl Samuel Leberecht Hermann and Friedrich Stromeyer
-
Discovery
In 1817
In 1789
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.
- The main use of this metal include nuclear fuel which is used to generate electricity yin nuclear power stations.
-
Synthetic elements like transuranium are made from Uranium metal.
Industrial Uses
Aerospace Industry, Ammunition Industry, Chemical Industry, Electrical Industry, Electronic Industry
Ammunition Industry, Chemical Industry
Other Uses
Alloys
Alloys, Jewellery, Nuclear Reactor's Fuel, Sculptures, Statues
Present in Human Body
Yes
No
Physical State
Solid
Solid
Color
Silvery Bluish-Gray
Silvery Gray
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, Radioactivity
Electron Configuration
[Kr] 4d10 5s2
[Rn] 5f3 6d1 7s2
Crystal Structure
Hexagonal Close Packed (HCP)
Orthorhombic (ORTH)
Crystal Lattice
HCP-Crystal-Structure-of-Cadmium.jpg#100
ORTH-Crystal-Structure-of-Uranium.jpg#100
Valence Electron Potential
Lattice Angles
π/2, π/2, 2 π/3
π/2, π/2, π/2
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