Chromium (Cr) Fun Facts

24 Cr
Superhero Identity

"The Chrome Comet, a flashy hero who resists tarnish and gives everything a mirror-like shine."

The true essence of Chromium (Cr) on the molecular frontier.

Appearance

A hard, lustrous, steel-gray metal.

Everyday Connection

The shiny chrome bumper on a classic car.

In Pop Culture

The shiny, metallic aesthetic is a staple of retro-futurism.

Did You Know?

1

Its name comes from the Greek word 'chroma', meaning 'color', because its compounds are known for being intensely colorful (e.g., ruby red, emerald green, chrome yellow).

2

Stainless steel gets its resistance to rust and corrosion from the addition of at least 10.5% chromium.

3

Rubies get their deep red color from trace amounts of chromium ions in their crystal structure.

4

The shiny, reflective coating on car bumpers and fixtures is an extremely thin layer of plated chromium.

5

While the chromium(III) ion may be an essential nutrient, the chromium(VI) form is highly toxic and carcinogenic.