28NiNickel58.69344[Ar] 3d⁸ 4s²
transition metal

Nickel

Nickel is a chemical element with symbol Ni and atomic number 28. It is a silvery-white lustrous metal with a slight golden tinge. Nickel belongs to the transition metals and is hard and ductile.

Electronic structure

A stylized shell model. Electrons are quantum objects, not particles following these literal paths. Sizes and motion are illustrative.

Electrons by shell
Electron configuration
3d8
4s2

18 is the [Ar] core total across three shells.

Properties

At a glance

Atomic number
28
Atomic mass
58.69344 u
Phase
Solid
Density
8.908 g/cm³
Melting point
1,728 K
Boiling point
3,003 K
First ionization energy
737.1 kJ/mol
Electronegativity
1.91
Electron affinity
111.65 kJ/mol
Molar heat capacity
26.07 J/(mol·K)
Period
4
Appearance
lustrous, metallic, and silver with a gold tinge

Conditions and isotopes affect measured properties. Some properties of short-lived elements are predicted. Electronegativity uses the Pauling scale.

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