Cadmium
KAD-me-em
Cadmium (Cd) is a blue-white metal that has the atomic number 48 in the periodic table. It is a Transition metal and located in Group 12 of the periodic table. It has the symbol Cd.
Cadmium occurs in small quantities in zin ores and is obtained as a by product from mining copper and zinc. Cadmium was discovered by Friedrich Stromeyer in 1817 through his work on Zinc oxide. Heating Zinc carbonate produced a yellow/orange substance when zinc oxide should be white. He extracted the unknown metal from the metal oxide and isolated Cadmium metal. It is named after the Latin ‘Cadmia’ the old name for the zinc ore it is found in. Cadmium is used in the production of batteries, especially rechargeable nickel-cadmium batteries. It is also used in alloy production where it can be used to lower the melting point of other metals. It is located in Group 12 as a Transition metal. It has a melting point of 321°c and a boiling point of 765°c.
FAQ's
Fredrich Stromeyer
1817
Uses
Used in nickel-cadmium batteries. Also in electroplating steel and in the manufacture of berings. Its compounds are found in paint pigments and a wide variety of intense colors. Boiling cadmium gives off a weird, yellow-colored vapor that is poisonous.
Sources
Obtained as a by product of zinc refining.
About the author
Nathan M
Nathan has a degree in BSc Biomedical Chemistry at Warwick University and a degree in PGCE Science at Wolverhampton University, UK. Nathan's subject matter ranges from general chemistry and organic chemistry. Nathan also created the curriculum on Breaking Atom in the course page.
Citation
Cd
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