Chromium (Cr)

Physical Properties of Chromium

History

Electron Configuration

Chromium was discovered in 1797 by the French chemist Louis-Nicolas Vauquelin. Vauquelin was working with the mineral Crocoite which was discovered in 1766. Vauquelin dissolved Crocoite in acid and removed the lead from his sample. A shiny and bright liquid remained and he called the new element Chromium because of its ability to create a variety of colors within a solution.

- Shiny and silvery.

- Solid state at 298 kelvins (K).

- Density of 7.14 grams per cubic centimeter at std. state.

- Melting point at 1907 degrees Celsius.

- Boiling point is 2671 Celsius.

- Great conductor of heat and electricity

Where does Chromium come from?

Chromium is found within the element Chromite which exists in abundance within the Earth's crust. Common places where Chromite is found include South Africa, India, Kazakhstan, and Russia.

What are the common uses of Chromium?

The main use of Chromium is to make make alloys with nickel, iron, or cobalt. Chromium adds hardness, strength, and corrosion resistance to products such as high-speed metal cutting tools.

Chromium is used as a Dietary supplement.

Chromium is found in broccoli, grapes, whole wheat, potatoes and garlic.

What does Chromium look like?

Biological Functions of

Chromium

Helps blood glucose levels remain normal by supporting the action of the hormone insulin. Chromium is responsible for reducing blood glucose levels and is helpful in controlling certain cases of diabetes.

Chromium also helps to reduce blood cholesterol levels by lowering low density lipoproteins (LDL) in the blood.

Chromium also has shown to aid in muscle development and so dietary supplements containing Chromium Picolinate are commonly used by weight-lifters.

The goal of this presentation is to enlighten you on the significance of Chromium.

What about the boring side of Chromium?

Location of element – d-block

Period – 4

Family – Transition Metals

Atomic Number – 24

Atomic Weight – 51.9961

Atom Structure?

24 Protons

28 Neutrons

24 Electrons

6 Valence Electrons

Fun Fact

The name Chromium comes from the Greek word chroma, which means " color."

How exactly do we get Chromium?

a) We can extract Chromium from Chromite by a process of reduction using carbon within an industrial furnace producing Ferrochromium, an alloy made of Iron and Chromium.

b) Or pure Chromium can be obtained by aerial oxidation of Chromite in molten Alkali to produce Sodium Chromate, which is then leached out using water, precipitated and then reduced to the Cr(III) oxide by using carbon.

Environmental Impact

Works Cited

Industrial waste from ore refining, tanning (smoothing of leather) industries, chrome-plating and other types of Chromium-processing facilities can create dangerous levels of Chromium in water and soil. People who live near waste-disposal sites are extremely vulnerable to Hexavalent Chromium which is a carcinogen that has been linked to lung cancer.

Aldersey-Williams, Hugh. Periodic Tales: A Cultural History of the Elements, from Arsenic to Zinc. New York: Viking, 2011. Print.

"Chromium." Periodic Table. Royal Soc. of Chemistry, 2015. Web. 14 Sept. 2015.

"Chromium (Cr)." Encyclopedia Britannica. Encyclopedia Britannica, 20 Oct. 2014. Web. 14 Nov. 2016.

"Inorganic Chemistry", 3rd Edition, Catherine Housecroft, Alan G. Sharpe, Publisher: Prentice Hall

"Complexes and First-Row Transition Elements", D. Nicholls

"Basic Inorganic Chemistry", F.A. Cotton, G. Wilkinson and P.L. Gaus

"Advanced Inorganic Chemistry", F.A. Cotton, G. Wilkinson, C. A. Murillo, and M. Bochmann

"Chemistry of the Elements", Greenwood and Earnshaw

"Hydrolysis of Cations", Baes and Messmer

In conclusion, Chromium is not only shiny and pretty to look at, it also has several health benefits but it is important minimize your intake of Chromium because it can also be lethal; just ask Erin Brockovich.

Chromium (Cr) by Cresencio Q