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What is Nickel? Origin / Meaning of the name Nickel
The name
Nickel derives from an abbreviation of the German word 'kupfernickel'
meaning "Devil's copper". In German 'Kupfer' means copper and
'Nickel' means devil. The German word 'Nickel' was a form of the
name Nicholas, a term commonly associated with the devil which
is why "Old Nick" is a familiar name for Satan. The metal was
originally named by German miners who believed that the devil
had changed or contaminated this strange ore, turning it into a
less valuable and harder to work metal than valuable copper. The name was
given by the chemist Axel von Cronstedt (1722-1765) who
discovered the element.
What is Nickel? Periodic Table Group and Classification of the Nickel Element
Elements can be classified based on their physical states (States
of Matter) e.g. gas, solid or liquid. This element is a solid. Nickel
is classified
as a "Transition Metal" which are located in Groups 3 - 12 of the
Periodic Table. Elements classified as
Transition Metals are generally described as ductile, malleable, and able to conduct electricity and heat. For additional facts and information refer to
Nickel Properties. Nearly 75%
of all the elements in the Periodic Table are classified as
metals which are detailed in the
List of Metals.
Facts about the History
and the
Discovery of the Nickel
Element
The use of nickel dates
back as far as 3500 BC when it was used for coins and weapons. Nickel was discovered by Baron Axel Frederik Cronstedt
in 1751. Axel von Cronstedt was a mining expert with the Bureau of
Mines and attempted to extract copper from what he thought was a
copper ore, but produced a silvery-white metal, instead of
copper. He named the new metal nickel meaning "Devil's copper".
Cronstedt also discovered the mineral tungsten, meaning heavy
stone in Swedish.
Axel von
Cronstedt (1722-1765)
What is Nickel? Occurrence of the Nickel Element
Nickel occurs sparingly in nature, usually combined with
Arsenic
or with arsenic and sulphur. Nickel has been found in
the free state in meteorites. Obtained from pentlandite
What is Nickel? Use of Nickel
Nickel is largely used as an alloy with other metals. Alloyed
with copper it forms coin metal from which five-cent pieces are
made, with copper and
Zinc
it forms German silver, and when
added to steel in small quantities nickel steel is formed which
is much superior to common steel for certain purposes. When
deposited by electrolysis upon the surface of other metals such
as iron, it forms a covering which will take a high polish and
protects the metal from rust, nickel not being acted upon by
moist air. Salts of nickel are usually green.
Abundances of the element in different environments
% in Universe 0.006%
% in Sun 0.008%
% in Meteorites 1.3%
% in Earth's Crust 0.0089%
% in Oceans 2×10-7%
% in Humans 0.00001%
Associated Uses of Nickel
Coinage in the United States and Canada
Stainless steel
Corrosion-resistant alloys
Nickel plating
Burglar-proof vaults
Nickel-cadmium batteries |
