Name: Cadmium

Atomic Symbol and Mass Number: Cd [48]

Electron Configuration: [Kr] 4d¹⁰5s²

Atomic Radii: 151 pm

Electron Affinity: 0 kJ mol-1

Oxidation States: +2, +1, -2

Electronegativity Value: 1.69

Elemental Group: Transition Metal

Uses and Properties:

• Cadmium is a lustrous, silver-white, ductile, very malleable metal

• Its surface has a bluish tinge and the metal is soft enough to be cut with a knife, but it tarnishes in air

• It is soluble in acids but not in alkalis

• It is similar in many respects to zinc but it forms more complex compounds.

• Cadmium became an important metal in the production of nickel-cadmium (Ni-Cd) rechargeable batteries and as a sacrificial corrosion-protection coating for iron and steel

• Common industrial uses for cadmium today are in batteries, alloys, coatings (electroplating), solar cells, plastic stabilizers, and pigments.

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Lewis Diagram: