What is Cadmium? Origin / Meaning of the name Cadmium
The name originates from the Greek word kadmeia  and from the Latin word cadmia meaning "calamine". Calamine is a historic name for an ore of zinc. The name calamine was derived from the Belgian town of Kelmis, whose French name is "La Calamine", which is home to a zinc mine.

What is Cadmium? Periodic Table Group and Classification of the Cadmium Element
Elements can be classified based on their physical states (States of Matter) e.g. gas, solid or liquid. This element is a solid. Cadmium is classified as a "Transition Metal" which are located in Groups 3 - 12 of the Periodic Table. Elements classified as Transition Metals are generally described as ductile, malleable, and able to conduct electricity and heat. Nearly 75% of all the elements in the Periodic Table are classified as metals which are detailed in the List of Metals.

Facts about the Discovery and History of the Cadmium Element
Cadmium was discovered in Germany by Fredrich Stromeyer  in 1817

What is Cadmium? Occurrence of the Cadmium Element
Cadmium occurs in small quantities in some zinc ores. In the course of the metallurgy of zinc the cadmium compounds undergo chemical changes quite similar to those of the zinc compounds, and the cadmium distills along with the zinc. Being more volatile, it comes over with the first of the zinc and is prepared from the first portions of the distillate by special methods of purification. The element very closely resembles zinc in most respects. Some of its alloys are characterized by having low melting points.

Obtained from zinc refining, mining, smelting
Greenockite is the only cadmium mineral of importance and is nearly always associated with sphalerite

Abundances of the element in different environments
% in Universe 2×10^-7%
% in Sun 6×10^-7%
% in Meteorites 0.000044%
% in Earth's Crust 0.000015%
% in Oceans 5×10^-9%
% in Humans 0.00007%

Associated Uses of Cadmium
Batteries - Nickel Cadmium
Pigments
Coatings and platings
Barrier to control nuclear fission
Televisions
Nickel cadmium batteries

What is Cadmium? The Properties of the Cadmium Element
Name of Element : Cadmium
Symbol of Element : Cd
Atomic Number of Cadmium : 48
Atomic Mass: 112.411 amu
Melting Point: 320.9 °C - 594.05 °K
Boiling Point: 765.0 °C - 1038.15 °K
Number of Protons/Electrons in Cadmium : 48
Number of Neutrons in Cadmium : 64
Crystal Structure: Hexagonal
Density @ 293 K: 8.65 g/cm3
Color of Cadmium : bluish-white

Cadmium as on the Periodic Table
Check out Cadmium on the Periodic Table which arranges each chemical element according to its atomic number, as based on the Periodic Law, so that chemical elements with similar properties are in the same column. Our Periodic Table is simple to use - just click on the symbol for Cadmium as on the Periodic Table for additional information and for an instant comparison of the Atomic Weight, Melting Point, Boiling Point and Mass - G/cc with any other element. An invaluable source of facts and information as a Chemistry reference guide.

What is Cadmium - IUPAC and the Modern Standardised Periodic Table
The Standardised Periodic Table in use today was agreed by the International Union of Pure Applied Chemistry, IUPAC, in 1985 and now recognises more periods and elements than Dimitri  Mendeleev knew in his day in his day but still all fitting into his concept of  the "Periodic Table" in which Cadmium is just one element that can be found.

Learn about what is Cadmium with these fast facts...
These articles contain facts and information relating to Cadmium and each of the other elements including the Periodic Symbol,  group, classification, properties and atomic number which is often referred to as the Periodic Table Number. Test your knowledge of chemistry and the Periodic Table by completing the Element Symbols and Atomic Numbers on our Blank Periodic Table. Chemistry students will also find a helpful section on Chemical Formulas.