Metallic chemical element , chemical symbol Cd, atomic number 48.
It normally occurs along with other metals, especially zinc , in ore s. A silvery white metal capable of taking a high polish, cadmium does not corrode under alkaline (see alkali ) conditions; one of its major uses is in electroplating other metals and alloy s to protect them. Because it absorbs neutron s effectively, it is used in control rods in some nuclear reactors. Its compounds, in which it has valence 2, are very toxic. They are used as pigments, as phosphors in television and computer monitor screens, as pesticides, and in photographic applications and analytical chemistry.