Nickel (Ni)

Silvery-white metal

Nickel is a corrosion-resistant metal found in coins, cutlery, and the cathode of every rechargeable battery, and with [Ar] 3d⁸ 4s², nickel is ferromagnetic up to 627 K and forms the basis of many superalloys. It is used in US five-cent coins (hence the name) and is a common allergen.

Key metrics

Density8.91g/cm³

Melting point1,728K

Boiling point3,186K

Electronegativity1.91Pauling

Discovery

1751discovered

Discovered by: Axel Fredrik Cronstedt
Reactivity profile: Corrosion resistant
Reactivity: Low
Bonding: Metallic

Electron configuration

\textcolor{#6b7280}{[Ar]}\; \textcolor{#22c55e}{3_{d}^{8}}\; \textcolor{#ef4444}{4_{s}^{2}}

[Ar] 3d8 4s2

Wave function

\Psi_{\text{Ni}} \approx \frac{1}{\sqrt{28!}} \det \left| \chi_1(\mathbf{r}_1) \dots \chi_{28}(\mathbf{r}_{28}) \right|

Probability density $|\Psi|^2$ across the Ni valence shell.

Crystal structure

Face-Centered Cubic

Lattice constantsa = 1.00

Cell anglesα = β = γ = 90°

Coordination number12

Atoms per cell4

Atomic packing factor0.74

Physical properties

Atomic radius: 124 pm
Ionization energy: 737 kJ/mol
Electron affinity: 112 kJ/mol
Crystal structure: Face-centered cubic (fcc)

Oxidation states

+2+3

Acid/base

Basic

Strongly acidicStrongly basic

State at 25 °CSolid

1728 K3186 K298 K

Emission spectrum

3 transitions

380450500550600650700780

VioletBlueGreenYellowRed

352.4nmNi I (UV)UV50%

440.2nmNi I (blue)Violet70%

503.5nmNi I (green)Cyan100%

Dominant line 503.5 nmRange 352–504 nmTransitions 3