Kaadmiumi

Kaadmiumi, also known as cadmium, is a chemical element with the symbol Cd and atomic number 48. It is a soft, silvery-white metal that is similar in appearance to zinc but more brittle. Cadmium is relatively rare in Earth's crust, with an average concentration of about 0.1 parts per million. It is primarily obtained as a byproduct of mining and refining of zinc and lead.

Cadmium has several important applications. It is used in batteries, particularly nickel-cadmium (NiCd) batteries, which are commonly used in portable electronic devices. It is also used in pigments for plastics, ceramics, and paints, as well as in electroplating to protect other metals from corrosion. Additionally, cadmium is used in some types of solar panels and in the production of certain types of semiconductors.

Despite its useful applications, cadmium is highly toxic and can cause serious health problems if ingested or inhaled. Exposure to cadmium can lead to a condition called itai-itai disease, which is characterized by bone pain and deformities. It can also cause lung cancer and kidney damage. Due to these health risks, the use of cadmium in certain applications is being phased out or restricted in many countries.

Cadmium has two stable isotopes, 112Cd and 114Cd, and several radioactive isotopes. The most stable of these is 113Cd, with a half-life of about 7.7 x 10^15 years. Cadmium is a transition metal and is located in group 12 of the periodic table. It is a member of the zinc group, which also includes zinc, mercury, and copernicium.