Element 24

Chromium (Cr)

Transition metal · Period 4 · Group 6 · d-block

Chromium (Cr) is element 24 of the periodic table, a transition metal in period 4, group 6 (d-block) with an atomic mass of 51.996 and is a solid at standard conditions.

At a glance

Atomic number
24
Symbol
Cr
Atomic mass
51.996 u
Category
Transition metals
Period
4
Group
6
Block
d-block
Phase at STP
solid

Electron structure

Electron configuration
1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 3d5 4s1
Shorthand configuration
[Ar] 3d5 4s1
Electrons per shell
2, 8, 13, 1
Oxidation states
-4, -2, -1, +1, +2, +3, +4, +5, +6

Physical properties

Melting point
2,180 K (1,906.85 °C)
Boiling point
2,944 K (2,670.85 °C)
Density
7.15 g/cm³
Phase
solid

Atomic properties

Electronegativity (Pauling)
1.66
Atomic radius
166 pm
Covalent radius
139 pm
First ionization energy
653 kJ/mol
Electron affinity
64 kJ/mol

Notable isotopes

Notable isotopes of Chromium: mass number, atomic mass, natural abundance, and stability.
IsotopeMassAbundanceStability
Cr-5251.9405183.79%Stable

Common uses

  • Stainless steel
  • Chrome plating
  • Dyes
  • Wood preservation

Discovery

Year
1797
Discovered by
Louis Nicolas Vauquelin
Country
France

Frequently asked questions

Is chromium a metal?
Yes. Chromium is a metal, classified as a transition metal on the periodic table.
How many protons does chromium have?
Chromium has 24 protons. Its atomic number is 24, which is also the number of electrons in a neutral atom of chromium.
What group and period is chromium in?
Chromium is in group 6 and period 4 of the periodic table, in the d-block.
What is the atomic mass of chromium?
The atomic mass of chromium is 51.996 u (unified atomic mass units).

Keep exploring

Chromium's row is on the printable element property sheet, and its tile is on the periodic table wall chart - the same numbers as above, laid out for A4 or A3 paper.