Cadmium112

Cadmium-112 is a stable isotope of cadmium, a chemical element with the symbol Cd and atomic number 48. Unlike many isotopes of other elements, cadmium-112 is not radioactive and is considered naturally occurring in significant quantities. It is one of the six stable isotopes of cadmium, which collectively make up nearly all of the element’s natural abundance on Earth.

Cadmium-112 constitutes approximately 24.13% of naturally occurring cadmium, making it one of the most prevalent isotopes in its elemental form. The other stable isotopes include cadmium-106, cadmium-108, cadmium-110, cadmium-111, and cadmium-113, with varying natural abundances. The stability of cadmium-112 is attributed to its balanced neutron-to-proton ratio, which contributes to its long-term persistence in the environment.

Cadmium-112 is primarily produced in the Earth’s crust through natural nuclear processes, such as the decay of heavier elements or cosmic ray interactions. It is also found in trace amounts in ores where cadmium is mined, alongside other isotopes of the element. Due to its stability, cadmium-112 does not undergo radioactive decay and poses no radiological hazard.

The isotope plays a role in scientific research, particularly in studies involving isotopic ratios to analyze geological samples or trace environmental contamination. Its presence in cadmium compounds is also relevant in industrial applications, such as plating, pigments, and batteries, though cadmium itself is toxic and requires careful handling. The stable nature of cadmium-112 makes it useful as a reference point in mass spectrometry and other analytical techniques.