Cd Cadmium

Quick answerCadmium (Cd) is a transition metal with atomic number 48 and an atomic mass of 112.41 (2023), in group 12, period 5. It was discovered by Friedrich Stromeyer in 1817. It is used for rechargeable batteries and pigments. Its electron configuration is [Kr] 4d10 5s2.

Cadmium is a toxic metal that once powered rechargeable batteries and coloured paints bright yellow, orange, and red.

Key facts

Symbol	Cd
Atomic number	48
Atomic mass	112.41 (IUPAC standard atomic weight, 2023)
Category	transition metal
Group	12
Period	5
Block	d-block
Electron configuration	[Kr] 4d10 5s2
Discovered	Friedrich Stromeyer, 1817
Uses	rechargeable batteries, pigments, solar cells, electroplating, nuclear reactor control

Quick quiz

Three questions from the facts on this page. No sign-up, no score is saved.

1. What is the chemical symbol of Cadmium?

Cd V Sc Ti

2. What is the atomic number of Cadmium?

49 50 47 48

3. Which category does Cadmium belong to?

alkali metal halogen noble gas transition metal

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Keep exploring

• Periodic table — all 118 elements
• Zinc (Zn) — another transition metal, atomic number 30
• Yttrium (Y) — another transition metal, atomic number 39
• Zirconium (Zr) — another transition metal, atomic number 40
• Niobium (Nb) — another transition metal, atomic number 41
• Molybdenum (Mo) — another transition metal, atomic number 42
• Technetium (Tc) — another transition metal, atomic number 43
• Ruthenium (Ru) — another transition metal, atomic number 44
• Rhodium (Rh) — another transition metal, atomic number 45
• Palladium (Pd) — another transition metal, atomic number 46
• Silver (Ag) — another transition metal, atomic number 47
• All transition metal elements — on the periodic table

Sources & last updated

• CIAAW — Standard Atomic Weights
• PubChem Periodic Table
• Wikipedia — Timeline of chemical element discoveries

Last updated: 2026-11-12. Figures are shown with their year; where sources disagree, the value is left out rather than estimated.