Nickel (Ni)

Student Objectives: Students will learn the principal characteristics of nickel and its importance in alloys. They will be able to name at least one of these alloys and identify a common use for it. 

Tips for the Teachers: Explain to students that the U.S. coin called a nickel is an alloy of nickel and copper. In the late 1800s, unrefined nickel ore (virgin nickel) was used to make the coins. During World War II (1942-1945) silver was used instead of nickel. Nickels are now about 75% nickel and 25% copper.

Suggested Activities:

1. To illustrate how nickel makes alloys stronger, make finger gelatin and regular gelatin in class and compare the textures.

2. Have students make mobiles with pictures of metallic objects containing nickel.

3. Have each child in the room count out 100 beans. Line them up so students can see how much 3,000 is (there are more than 3,000 alloys that contain nickel). Put all the beans in a large jar and observe how much space they take up.

Measurements/Evaluation:

1. There are over how many uses for nickel?
2. What is the name for a combination of two or more metals?
3. Nickel is used to make what kind of steel?
4. What is the name of a special combination of elements, including nickel, that can be very hot and not melt? What is one of its uses?

Nickel

Color: Silver-White

Weight: Almost nine times as heavy as water

Found: In ore, mixed with other metals

Nickel is easily shaped and yet is harder than iron. It is most useful in alloys because it helps to make other metals stronger, tougher and more resistant to corrosion.

Pure nickel is used for protective coatings and in coin. Because it will polish to a bright, shiny surface, it is also used to make things more beautiful. Almost half of the nickel produced is used for stainless steel and heat-resistant steel. Some of the everyday things made from stainless steel are pots and pans, kitchen sinks and household appliances. Stainless steel tableware lasts longer than silverware and is very bright and shiny.

Nickel is an important part of a special combination of elements called a superalloy. This superalloy is used in jet and rocket engines because it can be very hot and not melt.

There are so many uses for nickel it would take a long list to name them all. Nickel is used in more than 3,000 alloys. The U.S. coin called the nickel is made of a copper-nickel alloy. Although nearly all of the nickel used is in metal alloys, there is a small amount that goes in chemical compounds each year.