Cadmium

[[image:http://www.sbmcrushernigeria.com/stone-ore/img/cadmium.jpg]]** Cadmium(Cd) **
The transition metal Cadmium has a silver-grey appearance and an atomic mass of 112.411. It was discovered by Friedrich Stromeyer in 1817. The element cadmium is located on the periodic table in group 12 and period 5. Cadmium has an atomic number of 48, which shows that it has 48 protons and likewise 48 electrons, with the most stable isotopes containing 112 neutrons. The melting point is roughly 320°c and its boiling point is around 770°c. It seems obvious that Cadmium would then be solid under any normal circumstances. Some interesting facts…
 * Cadmium is harmful when inhaled and may lead to death.
 * It is used in nuclear fission because it absorbs neutrons.
 * It is highly ductile – it can be spread very thinly while remaining in one sheet.
 * Cadmium is used to galvanise steel with only a half a millimetre thick layer.
 * It used to be used in batteries in conjunction with nickel.

Sam Brown