Nickel

metal · chemistry · elements

Silvery and Shiny. Nickel is a lustrous metal with a pale silvery color and just a hint of gold. It's hard and flexible, meaning you can bend it without it breaking, which makes it useful for all kinds of things.

Self Protecting. When nickel is exposed to air, it quickly forms a thin layer of nickel oxide on its surface that acts like an invisible shield. This protective coating stops the rest of the metal from reacting further with oxygen, so it doesn't rust away like iron does.

Rare on Earth. Pure nickel is incredibly hard to find in Earth's crust because it usually gets mixed with other elements. However, scientists have discovered small amounts of pure nickel in special rocks deep underground and inside meteorites that fell from space.

Element Number 28. Nickel has the chemical symbol Ni and is element number 28 on the periodic table. It belongs to a special group called transition metals, which are known for being tough and useful in manufacturing.