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Periodic table · chemistry · physics
Element story

Cadmium

Atomic number 48 means that every Cadmium nucleus contains 48 protons. That proton count is the element's identity: change it and you no longer have Cadmium.

Start with the nucleus

Atomic number 48 means that every Cadmium nucleus contains 48 protons. That proton count is the element's identity: change it and you no longer have Cadmium.

Cadmium (Cd) is chemical element 48. It belongs to the transition metals, and its reference state at room temperature is a solid. Those basic facts are a useful starting point for its chemistry and applications.

In practice, it turns up most often in batteries, pigments and metal plating.

See the atom

Conceptual visual: electron shells are a learning aid, not a literal picture of quantum orbitals.

What this number means

Atomic number 48 means that every Cadmium nucleus contains 48 protons. That proton count is the element's identity: change it and you no longer have Cadmium.

Keep exploring

→ Cadmium · Atomic structure · Periodic trends

48CdCadmium
Cadmium · Cd · Z = 48

Cadmium (Cd) is chemical element 48. It belongs to the transition metals, and its reference state at room temperature is a solid. Those basic facts are a useful starting point for its chemistry and applications.

Understanding the element

Cadmium (Cd) is chemical element 48. It belongs to the transition metals, and its reference state at room temperature is a solid. Those basic facts are a useful starting point for its chemistry and applications.

Where do we encounter it?

In practice, it turns up most often in batteries, pigments and metal plating.

What its position in the table tells us

Cadmium sits in period 5, group 12 and the D block. That location is useful because neighbouring elements often share trends in valence electrons, oxidation states and bonding behaviour.