28Ni58.693
Nickel
Transition metalsHard, shiny metals that conduct heat and electricity well and often form coloured compounds.
[Ar] 3d⁸ 4s²
- Atomic number
- 28
- Atomic mass
- 58.693
- Protons
- 28
- Neutrons
- 31 (most common)
- Electrons
- 28
- Shells
- 2, 8, 16, 2
- State at 25 °C
- Solid
- Position
- Group 10, period 4
Proton (+)Neutron (0)Electron (−)
Discovered byAxel Fredrik Cronstedt, 1751Axel Fredrik Cronstedt: 1 element
Miners called an ore Kupfernickel, “copper devil”, because it looked like copper but gave none. Cronstedt found it held a new metal.
Did you know?
- Many meteorites are mostly iron and nickel.
- It is attracted to magnets, like iron and cobalt.
Where it's found
- Earth's core, with iron
- Iron meteorites
- Nickel ores
What it's used for
- Stainless steel
- Rechargeable batteries
- Coins in many countries
Try it
There's no safe home experiment for Nickel. Explore it with the animated atom above instead.