Nickel (Ni)

🔹 Basic Information

• Element Name: Nickel
• Discovered By: Axel Fredrik Cronstedt
• Year of Discovery: 1751
• Category: Transition Metal
• Group: 10 (Group VIIIB – Transition Metals)
• State at Room Temperature: Solid (silvery-white metal) ⚙️

Nickel is a strong, shiny, silver-white metal known for being resistant to rust and corrosion. It’s widely used in coins, batteries, and stainless steel — and it’s also important in your smartphone and kitchen! 📱🍴

🔸 Chemical Properties

• Chemical Symbol: Ni
• Atomic Number: 28
• Atomic Mass: ~58.69 u
• Valency: 2 (can also show +1 to +4 in compounds)
• Electronic Configuration: [Ar] 3d⁸ 4s²

Nickel forms complex compounds, and it’s known for being magnetic in some forms. It slowly reacts with oxygen to form a thin protective oxide layer that prevents rust.

📘 Basic Things to Know

Nickel got its name from the German word “kupfernickel,” which means “devil’s copper” — because miners thought it was worthless copper ore. But it turned out to be a valuable element on its own!

It is found in minerals like pentlandite and laterite ores, and also in meteorites! ☄️

🤔 Interesting Facts

• Nickel is magnetic, just like iron and cobalt — it’s one of only three magnetic elements. 🧲
• It’s used to make stainless steel, which doesn’t rust and is used in kitchens and buildings. 🥄🏗️
• Modern coins, like the U.S. nickel, contain only about 25% nickel (the rest is copper). 🪙
• Nickel is essential for some enzymes in plants and animals, though we need only trace amounts. 🌱
• The Earth’s core is believed to contain large amounts of nickel along with iron. 🌍

🔧 Common Uses

• Stainless Steel: Nickel is mixed with iron and chromium to make rust-resistant steel. 🧼
• Coins: Used in many national currencies, including U.S., Canadian, and Euro coins. 💰
• Rechargeable Batteries: Found in nickel-cadmium (Ni-Cd) and nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) batteries. 🔋
• Plating & Coating: Used to coat other metals for protection and shine. 🪞
• Electronics: Used in circuits, wires, and components due to its conductivity and stability. 💻

📚 Conclusion

Nickel is a tough, versatile, and corrosion-resistant metal that plays a huge role in everyday tools, technology, and industry. From kitchen appliances to coin pockets, nickel is everywhere, making life stronger and shinier. For students, it’s a great example of how one metal can do so much in the modern world. 🔬🛠️