Nickel

Symbol: Ni
Atomic number: 28
Category: transition metals
Group: 10
Period: 4
Block: d
Atomic weight: 58.6934 g/mol
Electrons per shell: 2, 8, 16, 2
CAS number: 7440-02-0
Phase: solid
Density: 8.91 kg/dm³ (near room temperature)
Melting point: 1728 K (1453 °C, 2651 °F)
Boiling point: 3186 K (2732 °C, 5275 °F)
Crystal structure: cubic face centered
Oxidation states: 4, 3, 2, 1
Electronegativity: 1.91 (Pauling scale)
Name's origin: Nickel
Name's meaning: a mischievous sprite in German mythology who was blamed when miners were unable to extract any copper from a red mineral, now known as nickeline or niccolite
Facts:
- is a silvery-white lustrous metal with a slight golden tinge
- is one of the four ferromagnetic elements at about room temperature
- is corrosion-resistant, finding many uses in alloys, as a plating, in the manufacture of coins, magnets, and common household utensils
- enzymes of certain life-forms contain nickel as an active center making the metal essential for them
- nickel sulfide fume and dust is believed to be carcinogenic, and various other nickel compounds may be as well
- ensitized individuals may show an allergy to nickel affecting their skin, also known as dermatitis