Chromium 24

Where is chromium used--or where does it impact our everyday lives?

Chromium Symbol: Cr

Atomic number: 24 Atomic Mass: 52.00

Chromium is a Transition Metal. Period number: 4

Melting point: 1,907 oC (3,465 oF)

Boiling point: 2,670 oC (3,374.6 oF)

Reaction with air (oxygen): Chromium is non-reactive with air or oxygen at room temp.

Reaction with water: Chromium is non-reactive with water (H2O) at room temp.

Electron configuration: 2, 8, 13, 1 [Ar] 3d5 4s1

Source: LANL.gov

Researcher Lilly A-D

The mineral uvarovite is colored green by the chromium content, Ca3Cr2(SiO4)3 from the Saranovskoe chromite deposit, Nizhniy Tagil, Urals, Russia

And a second sample from Outokumpu, Finland

Both viewed during a Chemistry One field trip to the National Museum of Natural History in Washington, DC, USA

Chromium and vanadium are added to iron to make durable steels for tool manufacture. Here the adjustable pilers are made stronger with additives including chromium. Stainless steel includes about 10% chromium and products with chromium resist oxidtion (rusting).

WIS Photographer

WIS sample of metallic chromium.

WIS Photographer Nico Z. class of 2019

Crocoite PbCrO4 from Adelaide, Dundas, Tasmania viewed at the National Museum of Natural History, Washington DC during a Chemistry ONE field trip

WIS Photographer

Chromium is a dietary micronutrient: for glucose metabolism. Visit the NIH chromium factsheet webpage to discover more about chromium's dietary requirements. An adequate intake for a male over 14 is 35 mcg and for a female 24 mcg

BRIGHT ORANGE CRAYOLA CRAYON, THE SAME COLOR AS POTASSIUM DICHROMATE, K2Cr2O7

Airplane turbine blades are made of nickel alloys--mainly nickel with chromium and cobalt.

The photograph shows a Concorde jet engine turbine blade--signed by a senior pilot and on display at the Brooklands Museum in Weybridge, Surrey, UK

WIS Photographer