(So named (
Latin cadmia, "
zinc ore") by
Friedrich Strohmeyer,
German chemist, because it is frequently found associated with
zinc) A silver-white, malleable,
ductile,
metallic chemical element occurring as a
sulfide or
carbonate in
zinc ores. It is used in some low-melting
alloys,
electroplating, rechargeable
batteries, etc. It has highly
toxic dust and
fumes.
Symbol: Cd
Atomic number: 48
Atomic weight: 112.411
Density (at room temperature and pressure): 8.65 g/cc
Melting point: 321.07°C
Boiling point: 765°C
Valence: +2
Ground state electron configuration: [Kr]4d105s2