Ni
Nickel is a versatile transition metal used in stainless steel, coins, and batteries.
Physical Properties
| Atomic Mass | 58.693 u |
| Density | 8.912 g/cm³ |
| Melting Point | 1728.0 K |
| Boiling Point | 3186.0 K |
| Appearance | Lustrous, metallic, silvery with gold tinge |
| State at Room Temp | Solid |
Chemical Properties
| Electronegativity | 1.91 (Pauling) |
| 1st Ionization Energy | 737.1 kJ/mol |
| Electron Affinity | 111.7 kJ/mol |
| Oxidation States | +1, +2, +3, +4 |
Atomic Properties
| Electron Configuration | [Ar] 3d8 4s2 |
| Atomic Radius | 124.0 pm |
| Covalent Radius | 124.0 pm |
| Van der Waals Radius | 163.0 pm |
Discovery
| Discovered By | Axel Fredrik Cronstedt |
| Discovery Year | 1751 |
| Location | Stockholm, Sweden |
| Named After | German 'Kupfernickel' meaning devil's copper |
About Nickel
Nickel is a silvery-white lustrous metal with a slight golden tinge. It is one of only four elements ferromagnetic near room temperature. Nickel is corrosion-resistant and widely used in alloys.
Uses & Applications
Stainless steel, coins, batteries, electroplating, and magnets.
Fun Fact
The US five-cent coin is called a 'nickel' even though it is 75% copper and only 25% nickel.
Isotopes
| Mass Number | Abundance | Half-Life | Stable |
| 58 | 0.680769% | - | Yes |
| 60 | 0.262231% | - | Yes |
| 61 | 0.011399% | - | Yes |
| 62 | 0.036345% | - | Yes |
Electron Configuration
[Ar] 3d8 4s2