Chromium

 __ Chromium  __

By Alex Fratila Chromium, atomic number 24 on the periodic table, is a corrosive-resistant element that is used for many things. Its name comes from the Greek word // chroma //, meaning color, because chromium is shiny and colorful. The symbol, Cr, is self-explanatory; it just comes from two letters in __c__h__r__omium. Chromium was discovered in 1797 by Louis Nicolas Vauquelin, when he made chromium oxide by mixing crocoite with hydrochloric acid. Chromium has 24 protons, 28 neutrons, and 24 electrons. At room temperature, it is a solid, and it is found only in the ground. Chromium’s melting point is 1907°C (3465°F), and its boiling point is 2671°C (4840°F). Chromium’s density is 7.15 g/cm3, and its abundance is 0.18% of Earth’s crust (percent by weight). __ Uses  __ Chromium has many uses. Because of its color and shine, it is used in paints and on cars, and because it is corrosion resistant, it’s used in stainless steel. Because chromium has an extremely high melting point, it is used to make molds (a hollow form for giving a particular shape to something in a melted or plastic state). Chromium also helps diamonds, sapphires, emeralds, and rubies to be shiny and colorful. __ Fun Facts  __ If in granulated or powder form, it explodes on contact with air Chromium is used in glass Chromium is mostly found in something called Siberian Red Lead Siberian Red Lead is only found in Germany