#28 / 118
28Ni58.693
Transition Metalssolid at STPD-block

Nickel

Group: 10Period: 4Standard Atomic Weight: 58.693 u

Why is Nickel in this position?

Understanding the scientific rationale behind Nickel's position in the periodic table:

Group Assignment
Group 10

Belongs to Group 10 because it has 10 valence electrons (3d⁸ 4s²).

Period Assignment
Period 4

Belongs to Period 4 because its outermost electrons occupy n=4.

Orbital Block
D-block

Belongs to the d-block because its valence electrons occupy the 3d subshell.

Chemical Category
Transition Metals

Classified as a transition metal with notable ferromagnetism and corrosion resistance.

Atomic Structure & Bohr Shell Model

Shell Distribution: [2, 8, 16, 2]

Bohr Atomic Shell Model(2, 8, 16, 2)

Hover or tap any shell orbit ring to inspect electron counts and 2n² capacities.

28 Protons (p⁺)31 Neutrons (n⁰)
KShell K: Electron 1 of 2Shell K: Electron 2 of 2LShell L: Electron 1 of 8Shell L: Electron 2 of 8Shell L: Electron 3 of 8Shell L: Electron 4 of 8Shell L: Electron 5 of 8Shell L: Electron 6 of 8Shell L: Electron 7 of 8Shell L: Electron 8 of 8MShell M: Electron 1 of 16Shell M: Electron 2 of 16Shell M: Electron 3 of 16Shell M: Electron 4 of 16Shell M: Electron 5 of 16Shell M: Electron 6 of 16Shell M: Electron 7 of 16Shell M: Electron 8 of 16Shell M: Electron 9 of 16Shell M: Electron 10 of 16Shell M: Electron 11 of 16Shell M: Electron 12 of 16Shell M: Electron 13 of 16Shell M: Electron 14 of 16Shell M: Electron 15 of 16Shell M: Electron 16 of 16NShell N: Electron 1 of 2Shell N: Electron 2 of 2NiZ = 28

Educational Note: This Niels Bohr planetary model visually illustrates principal quantum energy shells ($n=1, 2, 3\dots$) and electron counts. In modern quantum mechanics (Schrödinger model), electrons do not orbit in fixed circular planetary tracks, but exist as 3D probability clouds (orbitals: $s, p, d, f$) governed by the Heisenberg uncertainty principle.

Electron Shell Filling Breakdown

Shell K (n=1):2 / 2 electrons (100%)
Shell L (n=2):8 / 8 electrons (100%)
Shell M (n=3):16 / 18 electrons (89%)
Shell N (n=4):2 / 32 electrons (6%)
Aufbau Electron Configuration
1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 3d⁸ 4s²

Neutral ground state configuration. Valence electrons: 10.

Atomic & Quantum Properties

Electronegativity (Pauling)1.91 Pauling
1st Ionization Energy737.1 kJ/mol
Electron Affinity-112 kJ/mol
Atomic Radius (empirical)149 pm
Common Oxidation States+2
Crystal StructureFCC

Physical & Thermal Properties

Density at STP8.91 g/cm³
Melting Point1455 °C (1728 K)
Boiling Point2730 °C (3003 K)
Magnetic OrderingFerromagnetic
Discovery Year1751
Discovered ByAxel Fredrik Cronstedt

Real-World Uses, Occurrence & Compounds

Major Industrial & Everyday Uses
  • Stainless steel alloy manufacturing (corrosion prevention and austenitic phase stabilization)
  • High-energy density lithium-ion EV battery cathodes (NMC 811)
  • Electroplating for protective and decorative finishes on brass and steel
  • Gas turbine blade superalloys (Inconel, Monel, Nichrome heating elements)
Occurrence in Nature

Mined from magmatic sulfide ores (pentlandite) and laterite deposits in Indonesia, the Philippines, and Russia.

Etymology & Name Origin

From German 'Kupfernickel' meaning devil's copper, so called because miners could not extract copper from it

Important Chemical Compounds
NiSO₄ (Nickel sulfate)
NiO (Nickel oxide)
Ni(CO)₄ (Nickel tetracarbonyl)
NiCl₂ (Nickel chloride)
Interesting Chemical Facts
  • Earth's solid inner core is estimated to be composed of an iron-nickel alloy (roughly 85% Fe and 15% Ni).
  • The US five-cent coin ('nickel') is actually 75% copper and only 25% nickel.
  • Nickel tetracarbonyl, Ni(CO)₄, was discovered in 1890 and is a volatile liquid used in the Mond process to refine nickel to 99.99% purity.
Safety & Handling Note

Nickel is a prevalent contact allergen causing allergic contact dermatitis (nickel itch) from jewelry and belt buckles.