Mendeleev
Periodic table · chemistry · physics
Element story

Chromium

Atomic number 24 means that every Chromium nucleus contains 24 protons. That proton count is the element's identity: change it and you no longer have Chromium.

Start with the nucleus

Atomic number 24 means that every Chromium nucleus contains 24 protons. That proton count is the element's identity: change it and you no longer have Chromium.

Chromium (Cr) is chemical element 24. It belongs to the transition metals, and its reference state at room temperature is a solid. Those basic facts are a useful starting point for its chemistry and applications.

In practice, it turns up most often in stainless steel, metal plating and pigments.

See the atom

Conceptual visual: electron shells are a learning aid, not a literal picture of quantum orbitals.

What this number means

Atomic number 24 means that every Chromium nucleus contains 24 protons. That proton count is the element's identity: change it and you no longer have Chromium.

Keep exploring

→ Chromium · Atomic structure · Periodic trends

24CrChromium
Chromium · Cr · Z = 24

Chromium (Cr) is chemical element 24. It belongs to the transition metals, and its reference state at room temperature is a solid. Those basic facts are a useful starting point for its chemistry and applications.

Understanding the element

Chromium (Cr) is chemical element 24. It belongs to the transition metals, and its reference state at room temperature is a solid. Those basic facts are a useful starting point for its chemistry and applications.

Where do we encounter it?

In practice, it turns up most often in stainless steel, metal plating and pigments.

What its position in the table tells us

Chromium sits in period 4, group 6 and the D block. That location is useful because neighbouring elements often share trends in valence electrons, oxidation states and bonding behaviour.