Is Cadmium a Metal? (And Why?)

Yes, Cadmium is a metal. It is a chemical element with the symbol Cd and atomic number 48. It is classified as a Group 12 metal, also known as the zinc group, and like other metals, it has a shiny appearance, is malleable and ductile, and is a good conductor of heat and electricity. ¹

Well, this was just a simple answer. But there are few more things to know about this topic which will make your concept super clear.

So let’s dive right into it.

Why is cadmium a metal?

Cadmium is considered a metal because it has properties that are characteristic of metals. Specifically, cadmium is a good conductor of heat and electricity, it is malleable (can be flattened into thin sheets), ductile (can be drawn into wires), and has a metallic luster.

In addition, cadmium exhibits metallic bonding, which is the type of chemical bonding that occurs between metal atoms.

Metallic bonding is characterized by a sharing of electrons among a large number of atoms, which creates a “sea” of delocalized electrons that can move freely throughout the material. This gives metals their unique properties such as conductivity and malleability. ²

Furthermore, cadmium is located in the d-block of the periodic table. This placement reflects the electronic configuration of cadmium’s atoms, which have partially filled d-orbitals. The presence of partially filled d-orbitals in cadmium’s atoms is what gives rise to its metallic properties. ³

Therefore, based on its physical and chemical properties and its location in the periodic table, cadmium is classified as a metal.

Properties of cadmium that classify it as a metal

Cadmium is a metal because it exhibits the following properties:

• Good conductor of heat and electricity: Metals are known for their ability to conduct heat and electricity, and cadmium is no exception. This property is due to the presence of free electrons that can easily move through the material, carrying thermal or electrical energy.
• Malleable: Cadmium, like most metals, is malleable, which means it can be easily hammered or rolled into thin sheets without breaking. This is because metals have a crystalline structure that allows layers of atoms to slide over one another.
• Ductile: Cadmium is also ductile, which means it can be drawn into thin wires without breaking. This property is due to the same reason as malleability. ⁴
• Metallic luster: Metals have a characteristic shiny, reflective appearance known as a metallic luster. Cadmium exhibits this property because its electrons can absorb and reflect light in a unique way.
• Metallic bonding: Cadmium has metallic bonding, which is the type of bonding that occurs between metal atoms. Metallic bonding is characterized by the sharing of electrons among a large number of atoms, creating a “sea” of delocalized electrons that can move freely throughout the material. This gives metals their unique properties such as conductivity and malleability.

How is cadmium different from other metals?

Cadmium differs from other metals in several ways:

• Toxicity: Cadmium is a toxic metal and can have harmful effects on human health and the environment. It is classified as a carcinogen and can cause damage to the kidneys, lungs, and bones. ^{5 6 7}
• Low melting point: Compared to other metals, cadmium has a relatively low melting point of 321°C. This makes it useful in low-temperature applications such as solders and alloys.
• Softness: Cadmium is a relatively soft metal and has a low hardness value. This property makes it useful for plating applications, as it can provide a thin layer of protective coating without adding significant weight or bulk.
• Reactivity: Cadmium is a reactive metal and can form compounds with many other elements. It can react with air and water, and is easily oxidized to form cadmium oxide. ⁸
• Limited availability: Cadmium is a relatively rare element, and its availability is limited compared to more abundant metals such as iron, aluminum, and copper. As a result, it is not as widely used in industrial applications as these other metals.

Further reading

Is Tin a Metal or Nonmetal?
Is Iodine a Metal or Nonmetal?
Is Xenon a Metal?
Is Barium a Metal or Nonmetal?
Is Gold a Metal or Nonmetal? 

1. Cadmium – Overview | Occupational Safety and Health Administration. (n.d.). Cadmium – Overview | Occupational Safety and Health Administration. https://www.osha.gov/cadmium
2. Metallic bonding – Wikipedia. (2021, February 1). Metallic Bonding – Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metallic_bonding
3. Chemistry of Cadmium. (2013, October 2). Chemistry LibreTexts. https://chem.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Inorganic_Chemistry/Supplemental_Modules_and_Websites_(Inorganic_Chemistry)/Descriptive_Chemistry/Elements_Organized_by_Block/3_d-Block_Elements/Group_12%3A_Transition_Metals/Chemistry_of_Cadmium
4. P. (n.d.). Cadmium. Cadmium | Cd – PubChem. https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/23973
5. Huang, Y., He, C., Shen, C., Guo, J., Mubeen, S., Yuan, J., & Yang, Z. (2017). Toxicity of cadmium and its health risks from leafy vegetable consumption. Food & Function, 8(4), 1373–1401. https://doi.org/10.1039/c6fo01580h
6. The Risk Assessment Information System. (n.d.). The Risk Assessment Information System. https://rais.ornl.gov/tox/profiles/cadmium.html
7. Godt, J., Scheidig, F., Grosse-Siestrup, C., Esche, V., Brandenburg, P., Reich, A., & Groneberg, D. A. (2006, September 10). The toxicity of cadmium and resulting hazards for human health. Journal of Occupational Medicine and Toxicology, 1(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/1745-6673-1-22
8. Cadmium oxide – Wikipedia. (2007, February 16). Cadmium Oxide – Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cadmium_oxide