A Visual Encyclopedia of the Periodic Table

66

Transition Metals

Forms

Nickel is named after Old Nick, a demonic

spirit from Christian lore that was believed

to live underground. In the 18th century,

German miners mistook a poisonous nickel

mineral, now known as nickeline, for a

copper ore. When this mineral failed to yield

copper, they named it Kupfernickel, meaning

“Old Nick’s copper”. Nickel is also found in other

ores, such as garnierite and pentlandite. This

element is one of the most useful metals, with

a number of applications. Because pure nickel

does not rust, it is used to coat objects to make

Nickel 28 28 30 State: SolidDiscovery: 1751

Ni

28

This nickel ore also

contains arsenic.

This reddish mineral

is made of iron and

nickel sulfide.

This green colour comes

from the presence of nickel.

G

ar

ni

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ite N

ickeline

P

en

tla

ndite

Nickel^ goblet^ drum

These silver y white metal

pellets have a yellowish tinge.

Pu

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ined

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