Chemical Elements History and Information Nickel

About the chemical element Nickel, its symbol, atomic number and weight, who discovered it and when.

The Atomic Elements and Their Uses

(Element) (Symbol) (Atomic number) (Atomic weight)

Nickel Ni 28 58.71

Discovered by Baron Axel Cronstedt of Sweden in 1751. There is more nickel on earth than copper, zinc, and lead combined. The 5 cent piece contains 25% nickel and 75% copper. Nickel-copper coins have been in use for thousands of years, because they resist corrosion, even in seawater. Powdered nickel is used to process liquid oils into solid fats like oleomargarine and vegetable shortening. About 1 lb. of nickel catalyst is used for 3,000 lb. of oleomargarine.