Cadmium (Cd) - Element 48 | Properties & Electron Configuration

What is Cadmium?

Cadmium (Cd) is element 48, a transition metal in period 5, group 12. Its electron configuration is 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 3d¹⁰ 4s² 4p⁶ 4d¹⁰ 5s².

Atomic Number48
SymbolCd
Atomic Mass112.41 u
CategoryTransition Metal
Period5
Group12
Blockd
Electron Configuration1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 3d¹⁰ 4s² 4p⁶ 4d¹⁰ 5s²
Short Config[Kr] 4d¹⁰ 5s²
Electronegativity1.69
Atomic Radius151 pm
Ionization Energy868 kJ/mol
Electron AffinityN/A
Phase (STP)Solid

Electron Configuration

The full electron configuration of Cadmium is 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 3d¹⁰ 4s² 4p⁶ 4d¹⁰ 5s². In noble gas shorthand, this is written as [Kr] 4d¹⁰ 5s².

Cadmium is a d-block element in group 12, period 5.

Periodic Trends

Electronegativity: Cadmium has a Pauling electronegativity of 1.69. Within group 12, electronegativity generally decreases down the group.

Atomic Radius: 151 pm. Across period 5, atomic radius generally decreases left to right as nuclear charge increases.

Ionization Energy: 868 kJ/mol. Ionization energy generally increases across a period and decreases down a group.

View all 118 elements with trend overlays for electronegativity, atomic radius, ionization energy, and electron affinity.

Explore Cadmium on the Interactive Periodic Table

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