

Nickel was first isolated and

classified as a chemical element in
1751 by Axel Fredrik Cronstedt, who
initially mistook its orefor a copper
mineral.

 Nickel is a chemical element with

symbol Ni and atomic number 28.


An iron–nickel mixture is thought
to compose Earth's inner core.
 PHYSICAL PROPERTIES

Phase solid

Melting point 1728 K (1455 °C, 2651 °F)

Boiling point 3003 K (2730 °C, 4946 °F)

−3
Density near r.t. 8.908 g · c m
−3
when liquid, at m.p. 7.81 g · c m

Heat of fusion 17.48 kJ·mol

−1

−1
Heat of vaporization 379 kJ·mol

Molar heat capacity 26.07 J·m ol

−1
·K
−1
 The nickel atom has two electron
configurations, [Ar] 3d8 4s2 and [Ar]
3d 9 4s 1 , which are very close in energy –
the symbol [Ar] refers to the argon-like
core structure.
 Naturally occurring nickel is composed
of five stable isotopes; 58
Ni, 60
Ni, 61
Ni, 62
Ni and 64
Ni with 58
Ni being the most abundant
(68.077% natural abundance).
 Miscellanea
Crystal structure face-centered cubic (fcc)
−1
Speed of soundthin rod 4900 m · s (at r.t.)
−1 −1
Thermal expansion 13.4 µ m · m ·K (at 25 °C)
Thermal conductivity −1
90.9 W · m · K
−1

Electrical resistivity 69.3 n Ω · m (at 20 °C)

Magnetic ordering ferromagnetic
Young's modulus 200 GPa
Shear modulus 76 GPa
Bulk modulus 180 GPa
Poisson ratio 0.31
Mohs hardness 4.0
Vickers hardness 638 MPa
Brinell hardness 667–1600 MPa
 Purification of nickel oxides to obtain the
purest metal is performed via the Mond
process, which increases the nickel
concentrate to greater than 99.99% purity.
 Nickel is used in many specific and
recognizable industrial and consumer
products, including stainless
steel, alnico magnets, coinage, rechargeable
batteries, electric guitar strings, microphone
capsules, and special alloys
 The plant enzyme urease (an enzyme that assists in the
hydrolysis of urea) contains nickel.

 Nickel can have an impact on human health through

infectious diseases arising from nickel-dependent bacteria.
[ 71] Nickel released from Siberian Traps volcanic eruptions

(site of the modern city of Norilsk) is suspected of having

had a significant impact on the role played
by Methanosarcina, a genus of euryarchaeote archaea that
produced methane during the biggest extinction event on
record.
 Nickel carbonyl, [Ni(CO)4], is an extremely
toxic gas.
 Sensitivity to nickel may also be present in
patients with pompholyx.
 Nickel is an important cause of contact
allergy, partly due to its use in jewellery
intended for pierced ears.