Cr

    Chromium

    Transition Metal

    Atomic Number: 24 • Atomic Mass: 51.9960 u • Period: 4 • Group: 6

    Electron Configuration: 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 4s¹ 3d⁵
    Phase: Solid
    Electronegativity: 1.66

    Physical & Chemical Properties

    Physical Properties

    • Steely-gray, lustrous, hard metal
    • High melting point (2180 K or 1907°C)
    • Highly resistant to tarnishing
    • Can be polished to a mirror-like finish
    • Fairly good conductor of heat and electricity
    Melting Point

    2180 K (1906.85 °C, 3464.33 °F)

    Boiling Point

    2944 K (2670.85 °C, 4839.53 °F)

    Density

    7.15 g/cm³

    Electronegativity

    1.66 (Pauling scale)

    Chemical Properties

    • Forms a thin, adhesive oxide layer that protects from corrosion
    • Multiple oxidation states from +1 to +6, with +3 and +6 being most common
    • Chromium(III) compounds are stable and used in tanning leather
    • Chromium(VI) compounds are powerful oxidizing agents and toxic
    • Can be passivated, increasing corrosion resistance

    Electron Configuration

    1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 4s¹ 3d⁵

    Electron configuration describes how electrons are distributed in atomic orbitals, showing how they are arranged in energy levels and subshells.