Nickel: Element Overview

Basic Information

• Symbol: Ni
• Atomic Number: 28
• Atomic Weight: 58.6934 u
• Element Category: Transition metal
• Group: 10
• Period: 4

Physical Properties

• Phase at Room Temperature: Solid
• Melting Point: 1455 °C (2651 °F)
• Boiling Point: 2913 °C (5275 °F)
• Density: 8.908 g/cm³ at 25 °C
• Color: Lustrous, silvery-white
• Crystal Structure: Face-centered cubic (fcc)

Chemical Properties

• Electronegativity: 1.91 (Pauling scale)
• Ionization Energies:
  • First: 737.1 kJ/mol
  • Second: 1753 kJ/mol
  • Third: 3395 kJ/mol
• Oxidation States: +2 (most common), +3, +4
• Reactivity: Nickel is relatively resistant to oxidation and corrosion, particularly in its pure form.

Isotopes

• Stable Isotopes: Nickel has five stable isotopes: Ni-58, Ni-60, Ni-61, Ni-62, and Ni-64.
  • Ni-58: 68.077%
  • Ni-60: 26.223%
  • Ni-61: 1.1399%
  • Ni-62: 3.634%
  • Ni-64: 0.926%
• Radioisotopes: Several radioisotopes are known, with Ni-59 being the most notable for its use in dating meteorites.

Occurrence and Production

• Natural Abundance: Nickel is the 24th most abundant element in the Earth’s crust.
• Sources: Found in minerals such as pentlandite ((Ni,Fe)₉S₈), garnierite (a nickel silicate), and millerite (NiS).
• Production: Primarily extracted through mining and processing of nickel ores using methods such as pyrometallurgy and hydrometallurgy. The Mond process (carbonyl process) is also used for purification.

Uses and Applications

• Alloys: Widely used to produce stainless steel and other corrosion-resistant alloys. Nickel alloys are used in aerospace, marine, and industrial applications.
• Plating: Used for electroplating to provide a decorative and protective coating on metal objects.
• Batteries: Used in rechargeable batteries, including nickel-cadmium (NiCd) and nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) batteries.
• Coins: Used in coinage due to its durability and resistance to corrosion.
• Catalysts: Employed as a catalyst in chemical reactions, including hydrogenation processes in the food industry and petroleum refining.
• Electronics: Used in electronic components and magnetic materials.

Safety and Precautions

• Reactivity: Nickel is generally stable, but nickel powder can be reactive and flammable.
• Handling: Nickel dust and fumes should be handled with care to avoid inhalation and skin contact.
• Toxicity: Prolonged exposure to nickel compounds can cause skin irritation and respiratory issues. Nickel is a known carcinogen when inhaled in large amounts.

Biological Role

• Trace Element: Nickel is required in trace amounts for certain biological functions in plants and microorganisms.
• Human Health: Not essential for human health, but exposure to nickel in large amounts can be harmful.

Historical Background

• Discovery: Discovered by Axel Fredrik Cronstedt in 1751 in Sweden.
• Naming: The name “nickel” comes from the German word “kupfernickel,” meaning “devil’s copper,” because it was mistakenly thought to contain copper.

Interesting Facts

• Magnetic Properties: Nickel is one of the few elements that is ferromagnetic at room temperature.
• Nickel Coins: Many coins are made with a nickel-copper alloy due to its durability and resistance to corrosion.
• Meteorites: Nickel-iron alloys are found in meteorites, indicating its presence in the universe.

Summary

Nickel is a versatile transition metal known for its use in alloys, electroplating, batteries, and various industrial applications. It is relatively resistant to corrosion and oxidation, making it valuable in many fields. Discovered in the mid-18th century, nickel continues to play a crucial role in modern technology and manufacturing. While it is not essential for human health, it is required in trace amounts for some plants and microorganisms.

Questions and Answers about Nickel:

1. Q: What is the chemical symbol for Nickel?

   • A: Ni

2. Q: What is the atomic number of Nickel?

   • A: 28

3. Q: What type of element is Nickel?

   • A: Transition metal

4. Q: What is the atomic weight of Nickel?

   • A: 58.6934 u

5. Q: What group is Nickel in?

   • A: Group 10

6. Q: What period is Nickel in?

   • A: Period 4

7. Q: What is the phase of Nickel at room temperature?

   • A: Solid

8. Q: What is the melting point of Nickel?

   • A: 1455 °C (2651 °F)

9. Q: What is the boiling point of Nickel?

   • A: 2913 °C (5275 °F)

10. Q: What is the density of Nickel at 25 °C?

    • A: 8.908 g/cm³

11. Q: What is the color of Nickel metal?

    • A: Lustrous, silvery-white

12. Q: What is the crystal structure of Nickel?

    • A: Face-centered cubic (fcc)

13. Q: What is the electronegativity of Nickel?

    • A: 1.91 (Pauling scale)

14. Q: What is the first ionization energy of Nickel?

    • A: 737.1 kJ/mol

15. Q: How many stable isotopes does Nickel have?

    • A: Five (Ni-58, Ni-60, Ni-61, Ni-62, Ni-64)

16. Q: What is the most abundant isotope of Nickel?

    • A: Ni-58

17. Q: How is Nickel commercially produced?

    • A: Through mining and processing of nickel ores using methods such as pyrometallurgy and hydrometallurgy

18. Q: What is the natural abundance of Nickel in the Earth’s crust?

    • A: 24th most abundant element

19. Q: What common minerals contain Nickel?

    • A: Pentlandite ((Ni,Fe)₉S₈), garnierite, millerite (NiS)

20. Q: What industry uses Nickel extensively for stainless steel production?

    • A: Steel and construction industry

21. Q: What is one use of Nickel in the battery industry?

    • A: Used in rechargeable batteries such as nickel-cadmium (NiCd) and nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) batteries

22. Q: What role does Nickel play in electroplating?

    • A: Provides a decorative and protective coating on metal objects

23. Q: Why is Nickel used in coinage?

    • A: Due to its durability and resistance to corrosion

24. Q: What is the biological role of Nickel in plants?

    • A: Required in trace amounts for certain biological functions

25. Q: Who discovered Nickel?

    • A: Axel Fredrik Cronstedt

26. Q: In what year was Nickel discovered?

    • A: 1751

27. Q: What is the origin of the name “Nickel”?

    • A: From the German word “kupfernickel,” meaning “devil’s copper”

28. Q: What property makes Nickel ferromagnetic?

    • A: Its magnetic properties at room temperature

29. Q: What health hazard is associated with prolonged exposure to Nickel dust or fumes?

    • A: Can cause skin irritation and respiratory issues

30. Q: How should Nickel and its compounds be handled?

    • A: With care, using appropriate protective equipment to avoid inhalation and skin contact

31. Q: What is the second ionization energy of Nickel?

    • A: 1753 kJ/mol

32. Q: What is the third ionization energy of Nickel?

    • A: 3395 kJ/mol

33. Q: Is Nickel essential for human health?

    • A: Not essential, but exposure to nickel in large amounts can be harmful

34. Q: What is the significance of Nickel in meteorites?

    • A: Nickel-iron alloys are found in meteorites, indicating its presence in the universe

35. Q: What is the role of Nickel in the production of catalysts?

    • A: Used as a catalyst in chemical reactions, including hydrogenation processes

36. Q: How does Nickel benefit the aerospace industry?

    • A: Used in high-performance alloys for aircraft components

37. Q: What is Nickel’s role in improving battery technology?

    • A: Enhances energy density and cycle life in rechargeable batteries

38. Q: What is the use of Nickel in electronic components?

    • A: Used due to its conductive and magnetic properties

39. Q: How does Nickel contribute to the production of magnets?

    • A: Used in the production of strong permanent magnets

40. Q: What color are Nickel compounds typically?

    • A: They can exhibit a variety of colors, with green being common for nickel(II) compounds