About this element
Symbol: Ni
Date of discovery: 1751
Name origin: German kupfernickel
Appearance: white
Discoverer: Axel Fredrik Cronstedt
Obtained from: pentlandite
Melting point: 1728 K
Boiling point: 3186 K
Density[kg/m3]: 8908
Molar volume: 6.59 × 10-6 m3/mol
Protons/Electrons: 28
Neutrons: 31
Shell structure: 2,8,16,2
Electron configuration: [Ar]3d84s2
Oxidation state: 2,3
Crystal structure: cubic face centered
The consumption of nickel can be traced back to 3500 BC. The majority of the supply of nickel is believed to be located in the Earth’s core, while Canada, Russia, New Caledonia, Australia, Cuba, and Indonesia house accessible deposits of nickel. Most of the nickel consumed in the Western World is used to make austenitic stainless steel. Nickel steel is used for armor plates and vaults. Nickel is also used in the five-cent coins in the United States and Canada (called nickels). It also makes up crucibles that are used in chemical laboratories. One of its isotopes, nickel-56, is produced in type II supernova. The light curve of the supernova is associated with the decay of nickel-56 to cobalt-56 and then to iron-56. Nickel sulfide fume and dust is believed to be carcinogenic and nickel carbonyl gas is extremely toxic.