About

Nickel is a silvery-white metal with a slight golden tinge that is hard and ductile. It is highly resistant to corrosion in air and water, making it a key component in stainless steel and other 'superalloys'. It is also widely used in the production of coins (like the US 'nickel'), rechargeable batteries (Ni-Cd and Ni-MH), and as a protective plating material.

Atomic Properties

Atomic Number28

Atomic Weight58.693 u

Neutrons (common)31

Electron Configuration[Ar] 3d⁸ 4s²

Full Configuration1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 3d⁸ 4s²

Electrons per Shell2, 8, 16, 2

Electronegativity1.91

Electron Affinity111.65 kJ/mol

Oxidation States0, +1, +2, +3, +4

Covalent Radius121 pm

Van der Waals Radius163 pm

Ionic Radius69 pm

Periodic Table Position

Group10

Period4

BlockD

Chemical SeriesTransition metals

Physical Properties

State at STPsolid

Appearancelustrous, silvery-white metal with a slight golden tinge

Crystal Structurefcc

Magnetic Orderingferromagnetic

Speed of Sound4,900 m/s

Poisson Ratio0.31

Thermal Properties

Melting Point1,728 K

Boiling Point3,186 K

Thermal Expansion13.4 1/K

Thermal Conductivity90.9 W/(m·K)

Specific Heat0.444 J/(g·K)

Molar Heat26.07 J/(mol·K)

Heat of Fusion17.48 kJ/mol

Heat of Vaporization379 kJ/mol

Abundance

In Earth's Crust84 ppm

In Ocean0.001 ppm

In Solar System900 ppm

In Human Body0.1 ppm

In Universe60 ppm

Discovery

Discovered byAxel Fredrik Cronstedt

Discovery Year1,751

Occurrenceprimordial

CAS Number7440-02-0

Electron Configuration

Energy

↿⇂

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Isotopes of Nickel

Symbol ▲	Mass (u) ▲	Abundance ▲	Half-life ▲	Decay Mode ▲
⁵⁸Ni	57.935340	68.077%	Stable	Stable
⁵⁹Ni	58.934346	—	81 ky	Electron Capture
⁶⁰Ni	59.930790	26.223%	Stable	Stable
⁶¹Ni	60.931060	1.14%	Stable	Stable
⁶²Ni	61.928340	3.634%	Stable	Stable
⁶³Ni	62.929668	—	101.2 y	Beta Minus Decay
⁶⁴Ni	63.927960	0.926%	Stable	Stable

Interactive Visualization

Explore the 3D Bohr model of Nickel in our interactive viewer.

View 3D Model of Nickel