Cadmium (Cd)
"Cadmium, the Vibrant Vindicator! This element brings dazzling colors to life and powers our devices, but wields a hidden toxic punch if mishandled."
A memorable persona to anchor Cd in your mind.
8.65
Grams per cm³
321.069
Celsius (°C)
158
Radius (pm)
Daily Life Link
Powers some rechargeable batteries and creates those electrifying reds and yellows in modern screens.
Discovery & History
Year Discovered
1817
Discovered By
Friedrich Stromeyer
Origin of Name
"The name is derived from the Latin 'cadmia', the name for the mineral calamine."
Technical Properties
Atomic Mass
112.414 u
Standard State
solid
Boiling Point
767°C
Electron Configuration
[Kr] 4d105s2
1st Ionization Energy
8.994 eV
Electron Affinity
N/A
Oxidation States
"A soft, silvery-white metal with a subtle blue tinge, gleaming brightly when polished."
Did You Know?
Cadmium gets its name from "cadmia" (Latin for calamine), an ancient word for zinc ore, because it was first discovered as an impurity found within zinc minerals.
Cadmium compounds are legendary for creating some of the most incredibly vibrant and stable red, orange, and yellow pigments, seen in everything from artist paints to plastics and even traffic lights!
It was once a superstar in nickel-cadmium (NiCd) rechargeable batteries, powering portable electronics worldwide before newer, greener battery tech arrived.
Heads up! Despite its dazzling uses, cadmium is highly toxic. It slowly builds up in the body over time, potentially causing serious health issues like kidney damage and brittle bones.