Mendeleev
Periodic table · chemistry · physics
Element story

Nickel

Atomic number 28 means that every Nickel nucleus contains 28 protons. That proton count is the element's identity: change it and you no longer have Nickel.

Start with the nucleus

Atomic number 28 means that every Nickel nucleus contains 28 protons. That proton count is the element's identity: change it and you no longer have Nickel.

Nickel (Ni) is chemical element 28. It belongs to the transition metals, and its reference state at room temperature is a solid. Those basic facts are a useful starting point for its chemistry and applications.

In practice, it turns up most often in stainless steel, batteries and coins and monetary alloys.

See the atom

Conceptual visual: electron shells are a learning aid, not a literal picture of quantum orbitals.

What this number means

Atomic number 28 means that every Nickel nucleus contains 28 protons. That proton count is the element's identity: change it and you no longer have Nickel.

Keep exploring

→ Nickel · Atomic structure · Periodic trends

28NiNickel
Nickel · Ni · Z = 28

Nickel (Ni) is chemical element 28. It belongs to the transition metals, and its reference state at room temperature is a solid. Those basic facts are a useful starting point for its chemistry and applications.

Understanding the element

Nickel (Ni) is chemical element 28. It belongs to the transition metals, and its reference state at room temperature is a solid. Those basic facts are a useful starting point for its chemistry and applications.

Where do we encounter it?

In practice, it turns up most often in stainless steel, batteries and coins and monetary alloys.

What its position in the table tells us

Nickel sits in period 4, group 10 and the D block. That location is useful because neighbouring elements often share trends in valence electrons, oxidation states and bonding behaviour.