A Visual Encyclopedia of the Periodic Table

86

Transition Metals

Cadmium

Cd

48

Forms Uses

Cadmium is a highly toxic metal, and is

known to cause cancer. This rare element is

found in the ore greenockite, but it is mostly

obtained as a by-product of zinc extraction.

Cadmium was discovered in 1817 from a

mineral called calamine. Today, this metal is

mainly used in conjunction with nickel in

rechargeable batteries. The compound

cadmium oxide was once used in preparing

red paints, but not anymore because of its

toxicity. Cadmium is also used to create lasers

for use in powerful microscopes.

48 48 64

State: Solid

Discovery: 1817

Cadmium-covered

screws do not rust.

Fluorescent microscope

Cadmium-plated

screws

Nickel-

cadmium battery

Cadmium and

nickel layers

create electricity in

this rechargeable

battery.

This deep red pigment

contains powdered

cadmium oxide.

This electronic

component used

in circuits contains

a compound of

cadmium and sulfur.

This research sample is being

viewed under ultraviolet (UV) light

produced by a cadmium laser.

The yellow colour of

this zinc mineral is due

to cadmium impurities.

This mineral contains a rare

form of cadmium sulfide, a

compound of cadmium and sulfur.

This soft metal

has a bluish tinge.

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ntai
ning (^) cadmium
res
is
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r
Lig
ht

• s
  en
  si
  ti
  v
  e

Greenockite

P

el

le

t (^) o
f (^) p
ure cadmiu
m
re
fin
ed
(^) in (^) a
laboratory
Smithsonite
086-087_Cadmium-Hafnium.indd 86 12/12/16 5:38 pm