Chromium

Located at Group 6 and Period 4 of the Periodic Table is the element used in stainless steels. This is Chromium. 

First discovered by Johann Gottlob Lehman in 1766 and isolated by Louis Nicolas-Vauquelin in 1797.

Johann Gottlob Lehman

In 1766, German minerologist Johann Gottlob Lehman discovered a new mineral, which he named it Siberian Red Lead, also known as mineral crocoite. When this Mineral was first founded, many scientists are very confused of what Siberian Red Lead contains. Scientists at that time described the mineral "attached like little rubies to quartz"

Even then, studies about the Siberian Red Lead is very difficult as only small amounts are mined and that small amounts are only mined in one location : Germany. Also, the mining process of the Siberian Red Lead is hard to be removed. So, not much scientists actually study the mineral. Even the scientist do, there's only small amounts of it that makes it hard to be studied. So, they guessed that the mineral contains Lead ( of course, since the name is Siberian Red Lead ), Molybdenum, Arsenic and many other metals.

Siberian Red Lead

Since the discovery of the Siberian Red Lead, many scientist began researching of this mineral. But is wasn't until 1797, where Louis Nicholas-Vauquelin actually studied the mineral.

As Louis Nicholas-Vauquelin is studying this mineral, he became very certain that there might be an element inside this particular mineral. He written down the mineral as " It might contain a new metal, as this mineral possess properties different with any other mineral."

Louis Nicolas-Vauquelin

Finally, Louis Nicholas-Vauquelin isolated a small sample of the new element, which was after that called Chromium. Louis isolated Chromium by producing Chromium Oxide with the reactants Crocoite ( Pb₂CrO₄) and Hydrochloric Acid. Louis Nicholas-Vauquelin then isolated pure Chromium by heating charcoal, which its a nearly pure carbon, with a compound of Chromium, also called as Chromium Trioxide ( Cr₂O₃). When the reaction is complete, he found tiny metallic needles of Chromium Metal.

Today, Chromium is isolated by heating Chromium Oxide with Charcoal or Aluminium. If heated with Charcoal, the charcoal must be nearly pure Carbon. The Charcoal or Aluminium takes oxygen from Chromium Oxide, turning Aluminium to Aluminium Oxide or Charcoal to Carbon Dioxide, which leaves behind a pure Chromium.

Chromium can also be isolated by using the method electrolysis.

A Chromium Mine

Chromium is now only mined in South Africa, where chances of mining pure Chromium is very slim, it's minerals are mined instead. No Chromium has ever been mined in the USA. Only in the North America coutries such as Brazil.

Chromium is sort of a two-faced element. It is essential to have Chromium for our bodies, as well as for other animals or plants. But too much of Chromium will lead to a diabetes - like symptoms. Which means, Chromium is also plays a role in sugar.

United States Environmental Protection Agency ( EPA )

Too many Chromium is harmful. It could cause rashes and sores if spilled on skin. It can also cause mouth sore and sore throat if inhaled. Eating Chromium can cause serious damage to many of our digestive organs including throat, stomach, intestines and more. Long term exposure to Chromium can cause cancer. There's even a rule established by the United States Environmental Protection Agency ( EPA ) about Chromium exposure to workers.

Atomic Number : 24

Name : Chromium

Latin Name :  Chromium

Electrons per shell: [2, 8, 13, 1]

Discoverer :  Louis Nicolas-Vauquelin

Isolator : Louis Nicolas-Vauquelin

Element's : Atomic Mass : 51.9961 u
: Density : 7.19 g / cm³

                  : Type : Transition Metal

Chemical Properties :

• Borns and forms the green chromic oxide when heated
• It immediately produces a thin oxide layer that is impermeable to oxygen

  

  Chromium - 52

• Unstable in oxygen
• 128 isotopes : 3 of them are :

Chromium - 50 : Protons : 24

: Neutrons : 26

: Electrons : 24

( Half life : Stable )

Chromium - 51 : Protons : 24

: Neutrons : 27

: Electrons : 24

( Half life : 27.7025 days )

Chromium - 52 : Protons : 24

: Neutrons : 28

: Electrons : 24

( Half life : Stable )

Physical Properties :

• Lustrous steel-gray color
• Hard
• Shiny
• Melting Point : 1907 degrees Celsius ( 3465 Fahrenheit )
• Boiling Point : 2672 degrees Celsius ( 4840 Fahrenheit )

How Chromium got its name?

Chromium got its name from the Greek word 'Chroma', meaning colour. This name was chosen because the element can form so many different coloured compound. The name Chromium got is named by French Chemists Antoine Francois de Fourcroy and René-Just Haüy

Different Colored Chromium

Uses

Chromium is used to make stainless steel, and other alloys. Chromium is also used for cars and bicycle's frames, which produce a smooth, silvery finish that is highly resistant to corrosion. Chromium is also widely used as a catalyst.

Car Frame

THIS IS THE END OF CHROMIUM

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