Which is the fifth most abundant element on Earth?

               Nickel is a metal which has been in use for thousands of years. Its use by humans dates back to at least 3500 BC. However, the element was discovered quite recently. Axel Fredrik Cronstedt, a Swedish mineralogist, was trying to extract copper from minerals in1751; but succeeded in discovering another metal, which he named nickel.

              Nickel is the sixth most abundant element on Earth. However, its presence in the Earth’s crust is very minimal. The element is 100 per cent more concentrated below the Earth’s surface than in the crust.

             Under standard conditions, nickel is found to be silvery white in colour and is fairly hard. This element is magnetic at room temperature like three other metals, such as iron, cobalt, and gadolinium. However, nickel loses its magnetism above 255 degrees Celsius.

              Most of the metal obtained today is used in the manufacture of nickel steel and alloys. Nickel steel, such as stainless steel, is an extremely strong material. The element is useful for a host of other products such as batteries, coins, guitar strings, and armour plates.

            Nickel is generally identified in meteorites where it is usually found combined with iron. There is a large nickel deposit located in Canada, and scientists think it is from a meteorite that smashed into the Earth thousands of years ago. Atomic number of this element is 28, and the symbol is Ni.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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