Classification of Cadmium
Cadmium is categorized as a transition metal, located in Group 12 of the periodic table. It distinctly exhibits the characteristic properties associated with metals.
Observable Physical Characteristics
Color and Luster
Cadmium typically appears as a soft, silvery-white metal. It often possesses a noticeable bluish tinge. When a fresh surface is exposed, it displays a bright metallic luster.
Texture and Mechanical Properties
The metal is notable for its softness; it can be readily cut with a knife at room temperature. Cadmium also demonstrates malleability, meaning it can be hammered or rolled into sheets without fracturing, and ductility, allowing it to be drawn into wires. These characteristics facilitate its shaping in various manufacturing processes.
State at Room Temperature
At standard room temperature, generally considered to be between 20 and 25 degrees Celsius, cadmium exists in a solid state.
Thermal Properties
Melting and Boiling Points
Cadmium exhibits a comparatively low melting point for a metal, approximately 321.07 degrees Celsius. Its boiling point is recorded at about 767 degrees Celsius, at which temperature it transitions from a liquid to a gaseous state.