Cadmium is a shiny metal with a bluish cast (shade) to it. It is very soft and can almost be scratched with a fingernail. It has a lower melting point than the transition metals in groups 3 through 11.
The melting point of Cadmium is 321.07°C (610°F). This temperature is a relatively low temperature for metal, and it makes cadmium easier to melt and cast into various shapes and forms.
This low melting point is due to the nature of the atomic structure of cadmium. Cadmium has a relatively low atomic weight and its atoms are not tightly packed together, allowing for relatively low amounts of energy to be required to overcome the bonds between atoms and cause them to melt.
The melting point of cadmium is important in a variety of industrial applications, as it affects the behavior of the metal in various processes.
For example, in the manufacturing of electronic components, the low melting point of cadmium makes it easier to cast into intricate shapes. Similarly, in the production of batteries, the low melting point of cadmium allows it to be easily melted and used as a component.