Difference between revisions of "Nickel"

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==Properties==
 
==Properties==
 
===Physical properties===
 
===Physical properties===
Nickel is a silvery-white metal that has a slight yellowish tinge. It is one of four elements that is [[Ferromagnetism|ferromagnetic]] at or near room temperature ([[iron]], [[cobalt]], and [[gadolinium]] being the others). Its [[Curie point|Curie temperature]] is 355 °C, which causes the metal to reversibly become [[paramagnetism|paramagnetic]]. It is hard yet ductile.
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Nickel is a silvery-white [[metal]] that has a slight yellowish tinge. It is one of four elements that is [[Ferromagnetism|ferromagnetic]] at or near room temperature ([[iron]], [[cobalt]], and [[gadolinium]] being the others). Its [[Curie point|Curie temperature]] is 355 °C, which causes the metal to reversibly become [[paramagnetism|paramagnetic]]. It is hard yet ductile.
  
 
===Chemical properties===
 
===Chemical properties===

Revision as of 17:57, 30 January 2016

Nickel,  28Ni
General properties
Name, symbol Nickel, Ni
Appearance A silvery metal that resists corrosion even at high temperatures.
Nickel in the periodic table


Ni

Pd
Co ← Nickel → Cu
Atomic number 28
Standard atomic weight (Ar) 58.6934
Group, block , d-block
Period period 4
Electron configuration

[Ar] 3d8 4s2 or

[Ar] 3d9 4s1
per shell
2, 8, 16, 2 or 2, 8, 17, 1
Physical properties
silver,metallic
Phase solid
Melting point 1728 K ​(1455 °C, ​2651 °F)
Boiling point 3003 K ​(2730 °C, ​4946 °F)
Density at  (0 °C and 101.325 kPa) 8.908 g/cm3 g/L
Atomic properties
Oxidation states 4,3,2,1,-1,-2
energies 1st: 737.129 kj mol-1 kJ/mol
2nd: 1753.027 Kj mol-1 kJ/mol
3rd: 3395.32 Kj mol-1 kJ/mol
(more)
Atomic radius empirical: 1.97 pm
· references

Nickel is a transition metal with the symbol Ni and atomic number 28. It is well-known as a coinage material due to its corrosion resistance, and is often used to plate objects. In solution, it has extensive coordination chemistry, and some interesting redox chemistry which is not commonly seen.

Properties

Physical properties

Nickel is a silvery-white metal that has a slight yellowish tinge. It is one of four elements that is ferromagnetic at or near room temperature (iron, cobalt, and gadolinium being the others). Its Curie temperature is 355 °C, which causes the metal to reversibly become paramagnetic. It is hard yet ductile.

Chemical properties

Much of nickel's chemical resistance owes to its passivation in air. It will also passivate in the presence of fluorine, making it an ideal material for handling and storing the gas. It will dissolve only slowly in hydrochloric and sulfuric acids. In concentrated nitric acid, nickel will not dissolve, but it will dissolve in dilute nitric acid.

Nickel(II) compounds form a hexaaqua complex in water with the formula [Ni(H2O)6]2+ and coordinate to many different ligands, including chloride, ammonia, and ethylenediamine. These complexes can be hexacoordinate, tetragonal, or square planar, with square planar complexes such as tetrachloronickelate being diamagnetic rather than paramagnetic.

Availability

Nickel is present as the main material in older Canadian nickels. It is also present in US nickels, dimes, quarters and in 1 and 2 euro coins too. However, the majority of the metal is copper, with nickel making up anywhere from 9% to 25% of the coin. Destroying coins is illegal however, and heavy fines exist everywhere for breaking this law.

A good source of nickel is Mu-metal, an alloy containing 77-80% nickel, 16% iron, 5-2% copper and molybdenum. This alloy compounds the brackets of hard drive magnets, which can be extracted from old hard disks. Old submarine cables also contain MU-metal wiring. Cathod tubes are also a source. Chemical extraction is required to separate the nickel.

Nickel strips for electroplating can be bought from United Nuclear.

Another good source of nickel metal is the Ni200 wire sold in many electronic cigarette stores, as heating wire. The nickel content is 99%.

Projects

Handling

Safety

Nickel compounds are known to be carcinogens, and are grouped as class 1. Nickel metal is grouped as class 2B (it is a suspected carcinogen). However, it is not regulated by OSHA.

Some people are allergic to nickel metal and develop an itch or rash when exposed to it (contact dermatitis). If this occurs, wear gloves when handling the metal.

Storage

No special storage is required for bulk nickel. Nickel powder must be stored in closed bottles, away from any ignition source.

Disposal

Nickel and its compounds should be taken to disposal facilities.

References

Relevant Sciencemadness threads