Chromium is a transition metal, one of the elements found between Groups 2 and 13 in Rows 4 through 6 of the periodic table. Its atomic number is 24, its atomic mass is 51.996, and its chemical symbol is Cr.

Properties

Chromium is a hard, steel-gray, shiny metal that breaks easily. It has a melting point of 3,452°F (1,900°C), a boiling point of 4,788°F (2,642°C), and a density of 7.1 grams per cubic centimeter. A physical property that greatly adds to chromium's commercial importance is that it can be polished to a high shine.

Chromium is a relatively active metal that does not react with water, but does react with most metals. It combines slowly with oxygen at room temperature to form chromium oxide (Cr₂O₃). The chromium oxide formed in this reaction then acts as a protective layer, preventing the metal from reacting further with oxygen.

Occurrence and Extraction

Chromium...