Atomic / phase data
Reference values are evaluated.
FCC metal
Ordinary palladium metal is FCC.
Pd–H behavior
Hydrogen absorption/diffusion in palladium is a measured materials phenomenon.
Commodity geography
Selected production points are dated country-level context.
The lens describes evidence status, not confidence theatre. “Unknown” is kept unknown, and teaching schematics are not presented as direct measurements.
Palladium (Pd)
Palladium is element 46, a platinum-group metal whose surface chemistry makes it a powerful catalyst. Its FCC lattice can also absorb substantial hydrogen, linking atomic-scale interstitial behavior to membranes, catalysis and materials research.
Palladium atomic number, mass, electron configuration and key properties
Palladium: quick answers
How many protons, neutrons and electrons does palladium have?
Palladium’s atomic number is 46, so every palladium atom has 46 protons, and a neutral atom also has 46 electrons. Its most common natural isotope, palladium-106, has 60 neutrons (other isotopes have different neutron counts).
What is the symbol for palladium?
The chemical symbol for palladium is Pd.
Is palladium a solid, liquid or gas at room temperature?
Palladium is a solid at room temperature (about 25 °C).
What family (group) is palladium in?
Palladium is a transition metal, in group 10, period 5 of the periodic table.
What is the electron configuration of palladium?
The ground-state electron configuration of palladium is [Kr] 4d¹⁰.
From atomic number to chemistry
Read these as a chain of causes, not as isolated facts. Each step links to the concept hub if you want the underlying idea explained.
46 protons define palladium.
The reference ground-state configuration frames atomic and chemical behavior.
Periodic position organizes recurring trends without replacing element-specific evidence.
The teaching nucleus is one isotope, not the relative atomic mass.
Phase claims preserve measured/evaluated/predicted/unknown evidence labels.
Palladium in its period and family
Palladium is the Period 5 Group 10 platinum-group metal between rhodium and silver. Its d-electron structure and noble-metal surface chemistry support catalysis and corrosion resistance.
Palladium Visual Lab
Rotate a ¹⁰⁶Pd nucleus and FCC metal cell, inspect representative 4d clouds, then follow the Signature Science path from clean Pd lattice to interstitial hydrogen and catalytic surface chemistry.
Every mark points to one exact feature
The numbered markers explain the same information system used throughout Element Lookup. Unknown or predicted fields remain visibly labelled rather than being replaced with guesses.
Palladium in one minute
Atomic number 46 means 46 protons.
The reference configuration is [Kr] 4d¹⁰.
Palladium metal is FCC near room temperature.
Palladium surfaces are widely used in catalysis.
Hydrogen can dissolve in/interact with palladium metal; that is a material-system property, not a separate element.
Shell rings organize electron counts. They are not electron trajectories or orbital shapes.
2 · 8 · 18 · 18 electrons
The 4d probability clouds are representative isolated-atom angular forms. They are not a direct map of a palladium catalytic surface or hydrogen-filled metal band structure.
Palladium is FCC near room temperature. The viewer is a conventional-cell teaching model; absorbed/interstitial hydrogen changes the material system and is treated separately.. The viewer is evidence-aware: measured structures are identified as such; unknown bulk structures stay unknown.
Teaching visualization; not a literal finite sample or thermal trajectory.What this model does—and does not—show
The 4d probability clouds are representative isolated-atom angular forms. They are not a direct map of a palladium catalytic surface or hydrogen-filled metal band structure.
Where do I meet palladium?
Clickable learning cards connect the element to materials, environment, technology, biology or research - depending on what the evidence actually supports.
Catalytic converters
Palladium catalysts help convert harmful exhaust gases in vehicle after-treatment systems.
FCC Pd lattice → interstitial hydrogen → catalytic surface
Palladium’s signature science is a materials/surface story rather than simply “precious metal.”
FCC palladium
Pure palladium is an FCC metal near room temperature.
Nickel, palladium and platinum
Related d-block chemistry produces catalysts with different masses, structures and surface behavior.
| Crystal | FCC |
|---|---|
| Context | base transition metal |
| Crystal | FCC |
|---|---|
| Hydrogen | strong interaction |
| Crystal | FCC |
|---|---|
| Context | noble PGM |
Palladium properties: atomic, physical, thermal and chemical
Categories follow the science of this element rather than a fixed decorative template. Each row carries condition/provenance context and an evidence label; unknown values stay unknown.
| Property | Value | Context / provenance | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atomic number | 46 | Source-reviewed; see Sources below | Evaluated |
| Relative atomic mass | 106.42 | Source-reviewed; see Sources below | Evaluated |
| Ground-state electron configuration | [Kr] 4d¹⁰ | Source-reviewed; see Sources below | Evaluated |
| Group / period / block | Group 10 · Period 5 · d-block | Periodic-table placement | Evaluated |
| Electronegativity | 2.20 | Source-reviewed; see Sources below | Evaluated |
| Reference isotope | ¹⁰⁶Pd | Source-reviewed; see Sources below | Evaluated |
| Property | Value | Context / provenance | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| State context | Silvery-white noble metal · solid at 20 °C | Source-reviewed; see Sources below | Evaluated |
| Density | 12.0 g/cm³ | Source-reviewed; see Sources below | Evaluated |
| Material / molecular structure | Palladium metal · face-centred cubic | Palladium is FCC near room temperature. The viewer is a conventional-cell teaching model; absorbed/interstitial hydrogen changes the material system and is treated separately. | Measured |
| Classification | Transition metal · platinum-group metal | Periodic-table / chemistry classification | Evaluated |
| Structure-model scope | Palladium is FCC near room temperature. The viewer is a conventional-cell teaching model; absorbed/interstitial hydrogen changes the material system and is treated separately. | Teaching visualization; exact crystallographic coordinates are not implied unless stated. | Reviewed |
| Property | Value | Context / provenance | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Melting / transition reference | 1828 K | Source-reviewed; see Sources below | Evaluated |
| Boiling / gas reference | 3236 K | Source-reviewed; see Sources below | Evaluated |
| Phase-path context | At approximately standard pressure, palladium is FCC solid below about 1828 K, liquid to about 3236 K, and gaseous above the boiling reference. | Shared phase registry drives the slider, regions and markers. | Evaluated |
| Condition warning | Temperature and pressure define phase behavior; purity/allotropy may matter. | Teaching condition statement | Reviewed |
| Property | Value | Context / provenance | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ordinary electrical behavior | Metallic conductor | Qualitative bulk behavior; exact resistivity depends on temperature, purity and alloy state. | Measured |
| Conduction model | Collective solid-state electrons | Do not interpret isolated-atom orbital clouds as literal current paths. | Reviewed |
| Surface / compound caveat | Oxides, salts and alloys can behave differently from the pure metal | Material context | Reviewed |
| Engineering values | Condition-dependent | Use condition-specific materials data for engineering calculations. | Reviewed |
| Property | Value | Context / provenance | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Common oxidation states | 0, +2, +4 | Source-reviewed; see Sources below | Evaluated |
| Ion / common ion context | Element-specific; see chemistry sections | Source-reviewed; see Sources below | Evaluated |
| Periodic chemistry context | Palladium is the Period 5 Group 10 platinum-group metal between rhodium and silver. Its d-electron structure and noble-metal surface chemistry support catalysis and corrosion resistance. | Element-specific interpretation | Reviewed |
| Chemistry caution | Elemental form, ions and compounds are distinct chemical objects. | Interpretive teaching rule | Reviewed |
| Property | Value | Context / provenance | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| ¹⁰⁶Pd | Stable natural isotope | Reference teaching nucleus with 46 protons and 60 neutrons. | Evaluated |
| ¹⁰⁸Pd | Stable natural isotope | One of several stable natural palladium isotopes. | Evaluated |
| ¹⁰⁷Pd | Long-lived radioactive isotope | Relevant to nuclear/geochemical research rather than ordinary bulk palladium use. | Evaluated |
| Teaching nucleus | ¹⁰⁶Pd · 46 protons + 60 neutrons | Reference isotope used in the nucleus model | Reviewed |
Is Palladium a solid, liquid or gas? State at temperature
At approximately standard pressure, palladium is FCC solid below about 1828 K, liquid to about 3236 K, and gaseous above the boiling reference.
Where on Earth is Palladium found or produced?
Who discovered Palladium, and when?
William Hyde Wollaston discovered palladium while studying platinum ores.
Palladium found roles in jewellery, dentistry and chemical catalysis.
Automotive catalytic converters became a major palladium use.
Catalysis, electronics, hydrogen materials and recycling dominate the element’s technological story.
From platinum-group ores to palladium products: high-level path
Palladium occurs with other platinum-group metals in complex ore systems.
Concentration and refining separate platinum-group elements through multi-stage industrial processes.
High-purity palladium is fabricated into catalysts, alloys, electronic materials or chemical compounds; operational refining recipes are outside this guide.
Recycling from used catalysts and industrial scrap is a major secondary source.
What is palladium used for?
Catalysis
Automotive and chemical catalysts are leading uses.
Hydrogen membranes
Palladium-based membranes can selectively transport hydrogen under suitable conditions.
Electronics
Palladium is used in selected contacts, multilayer components and specialty materials.
Jewellery/alloys
Palladium is used as a precious metal and alloying component.
Palladium isotopes and natural abundance
¹⁰⁶Pd
Stable natural isotopeReference teaching nucleus with 46 protons and 60 neutrons.
¹⁰⁸Pd
Stable natural isotopeOne of several stable natural palladium isotopes.
¹⁰⁷Pd
Long-lived radioactive isotopeRelevant to nuclear/geochemical research rather than ordinary bulk palladium use.
Five-question Palladium check
What is palladium’s atomic number?
What is the ordinary crystal structure?
What is a major palladium use?
What can occupy interstitial sites in Pd?
What do the 4d clouds show?
Palladium questions students commonly ask
Each answer starts with the direct fact, then explains the chemistry, evidence or material context so the result is understandable rather than merely memorized.
What is palladium?
Short answer: Palladium is element 46, a platinum-group transition metal.
Atomic number 46 means every palladium nucleus contains 46 protons. In the periodic table, Palladium is classified here as a transition metal · platinum-group metal in Period 5 and Group 10. Palladium is the Period 5 Group 10 platinum-group metal between rhodium and silver. Its d-electron structure and noble-metal surface chemistry support catalysis and corrosion resistance.
Key point: Pd is element 46; its periodic position and electron structure explain the rest of the page.
What is palladium used for?
Short answer: Major uses include catalytic converters, chemical catalysis, electronics and precious-metal alloys.
Catalysis: Automotive and chemical catalysts are leading uses. Hydrogen membranes: Palladium-based membranes can selectively transport hydrogen under suitable conditions. Palladium’s market price is not the chemistry lesson. The distinctive science is how a filled 4d shell, metallic surfaces and hydrogen interactions support catalytic and materials behavior.
Key point: Always distinguish the pure element from the compound, alloy, isotope or device material that actually performs the application.
Where is palladium found?
Short answer: It occurs in platinum-group and nickel/copper ore systems; major mine supply is concentrated in a few countries.
Palladium occurs with other platinum-group metals in complex ore systems. The Geography Explorer keeps natural occurrence separate from resources, industrial production and recycling, because those datasets answer different questions about palladium.
Key point: Natural occurrence, resources, production and recycling are different geography questions.
Is palladium a metal?
Short answer: Yes. It is a noble platinum-group metal.
This guide classifies Palladium as a transition metal · platinum-group metal. Its periodic position is Period 5, d-block, Group 10. Palladium is the Period 5 Group 10 platinum-group metal between rhodium and silver. Its d-electron structure and noble-metal surface chemistry support catalysis and corrosion resistance.
Key point: Periodic-table classification describes recurring atomic/chemical behavior; it does not make every element in a column physically identical.
What is palladium’s crystal structure?
Short answer: Face-centred cubic near room temperature.
Palladium is FCC near room temperature. The viewer is a conventional-cell teaching model; absorbed/interstitial hydrogen changes the material system and is treated separately. The Structure viewer is an evidence-aware teaching model: measured or defensible structures are shown as models, while genuinely unknown bulk structures remain explicitly unknown.
Key point: A teaching lattice is a scientific model, not a photograph of a finite chunk of material.
Why does palladium interact strongly with hydrogen?
Short answer: Hydrogen atoms can occupy interstitial sites and diffuse through palladium, changing the Pd–H material system.
Hydrogen can dissolve in/interact with palladium metal; that is a material-system property, not a separate element. Hydrogen interaction Hydrogen can diffuse into and dissolve in palladium, making Pd important in membrane and hydrogen-material research.
Key point: The mechanism matters: connect the observed behavior to electron structure, bonding, phase or the specific material form rather than memorizing the result alone.
Scientific sources for Palladium
- Royal Society of Chemistry - Palladium
- NIST - Atomic Data for Palladium
- USGS - Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026
Found an error, something unclear, or a missing topic?
Tell us what you noticed. Feedback goes to a private review queue and is never published automatically.