Cadmium is a chemical element. Elements are the building blocks for everything that has mass and takes up space. Its chemical symbol is Cd, not to be confused with the elements C (carbon) and Ca (calcium). Cadmium is element 48, meaning that each cadmium atom contains 48 protons in its nucleus. In its pure form, cadmium is a white/silver colored metal with a mass of 112.41 grams per mole. Cadmium metal is very resistant to corrosion. Cadmium also forms many compounds where it has an oxidation state of +2, including many brightly colored pigments.