Cadmium (Cd): electron configuration, atomic mass and facts
Cadmium (Cd) is element 48 of the periodic table, a transition metal in period 5, group 12. Its electron configuration is [Kr] 4d10 5s2, with electrons arranged in shells 2, 8, 18, 18, 2, and its standard atomic weight is 112.41 u.
▶ Watch Cadmium’s electrons orbit in the interactive periodic tableCadmium at a glance
| Symbol | Cd |
|---|---|
| Atomic number | 48 |
| Atomic mass | 112.41 u |
| Category | Transition metal |
| Group | 12 |
| Period | 5 |
| Block | d-block |
| Electron configuration | 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 3d10 4s2 4p6 4d10 5s2 |
| Noble-gas shorthand | [Kr] 4d10 5s2 |
| Electrons per shell | 2, 8, 18, 18, 2 |
| Electronegativity (Pauling) | 1.69 |
| State at 20 °C | solid |
Where is Cadmium on the periodic table?
Cadmium is in period 5, group 12, in the d-block. The period number matches its 5 electron shells, and the block names the subshell its last electrons fill. In the same group, Zinc sits directly above it and Mercury sits directly below it. Elements in the same column of the d-block often have similar chemistry.
How to work out the electron configuration of Cadmium
Put 48 electrons into subshells in order of rising energy, filling each before starting the next: 1s² (2), 2s² (4), 2p⁶ (10), 3s² (12), 3p⁶ (18), 4s² (20), 3d¹⁰ (30), 4p⁶ (36), 5s² (38), 4d¹⁰ (48). In shorthand, [Kr] stands for the 36 electrons of krypton, giving [Kr] 4d¹⁰ 5s².
How electronegative is Cadmium?
Cadmium has a Pauling electronegativity of 1.69, ranking 45 of the 100 elements with a known value (fluorine is highest at 3.98). That is in the middle of the range.
Frequently asked questions
What is the electron configuration of Cadmium?
The electron configuration of Cadmium (Cd) is 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 3d10 4s2 4p6 4d10 5s2. In noble-gas shorthand it is written [Kr] 4d10 5s2.
How many electrons does Cadmium have in each shell?
Cadmium has 48 electrons arranged in shells as 2, 8, 18, 18, 2.
What is the atomic mass of Cadmium?
The standard atomic weight of Cadmium is 112.41 u, so one mole of Cadmium atoms has a mass of about 112.41 g.
Is Cadmium a metal?
Yes. Cadmium is a transition metal.
Explore nearby elements
More transition metals: Molybdenum, Technetium, Ruthenium, Rhodium, Palladium, Silver. See all elements on the periodic table.