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Element story

Palladium

Atomic number 46 means that every Palladium nucleus contains 46 protons. That proton count is the element's identity: change it and you no longer have Palladium.

Start with the nucleus

Atomic number 46 means that every Palladium nucleus contains 46 protons. That proton count is the element's identity: change it and you no longer have Palladium.

Palladium (Pd) is chemical element 46. 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 catalysts, electronics and hydrogen storage research.

See the atom

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

What this number means

Atomic number 46 means that every Palladium nucleus contains 46 protons. That proton count is the element's identity: change it and you no longer have Palladium.

Keep exploring

→ Palladium · Atomic structure · Periodic trends

46PdPalladium
Palladium · Pd · Z = 46

Palladium (Pd) is chemical element 46. 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

Palladium (Pd) is chemical element 46. 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 catalysts, electronics and hydrogen storage research.

What its position in the table tells us

Palladium sits in period 5, group 10 and the D block. That location is useful because neighbouring elements often share trends in valence electrons, oxidation states and bonding behaviour.