Cr
Chromium
Transition MetalAtomic 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.