Nickel (Ni): electron configuration, atomic mass and facts
Nickel (Ni) is element 28 of the periodic table, a transition metal in period 4, group 10. Its electron configuration is [Ar] 3d8 4s2, with electrons arranged in shells 2, 8, 16, 2, and its standard atomic weight is 58.693 u.
▶ Watch Nickel’s electrons orbit in the interactive periodic tableNickel at a glance
| Symbol | Ni |
|---|---|
| Atomic number | 28 |
| Atomic mass | 58.693 u |
| Category | Transition metal |
| Group | 10 |
| Period | 4 |
| Block | d-block |
| Electron configuration | 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 3d8 4s2 |
| Noble-gas shorthand | [Ar] 3d8 4s2 |
| Electrons per shell | 2, 8, 16, 2 |
| Electronegativity (Pauling) | 1.91 |
| State at 20 °C | solid |
Where is Nickel on the periodic table?
Nickel is in period 4, group 10, in the d-block. The period number matches its 4 electron shells, and the block names the subshell its last electrons fill. In the same group, Palladium sits directly below it. Elements in the same column of the d-block often have similar chemistry.
How to work out the electron configuration of Nickel
Put 28 electrons into subshells in order of rising energy, filling each before starting the next: 1s² (2), 2s² (4), 2p⁶ (10), 3s² (12), 3p⁶ (18), 4s² (20), 3d⁸ (28). In shorthand, [Ar] stands for the 18 electrons of argon, giving [Ar] 3d⁸ 4s².
How electronegative is Nickel?
Nickel has a Pauling electronegativity of 1.91, ranking 36 of the 100 elements with a known value (fluorine is highest at 3.98). That is in the middle of the range.
Frequently asked questions
What is the electron configuration of Nickel?
The electron configuration of Nickel (Ni) is 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 3d8 4s2. In noble-gas shorthand it is written [Ar] 3d8 4s2.
How many electrons does Nickel have in each shell?
Nickel has 28 electrons arranged in shells as 2, 8, 16, 2.
What is the atomic mass of Nickel?
The standard atomic weight of Nickel is 58.693 u, so one mole of Nickel atoms has a mass of about 58.693 g.
Is Nickel a metal?
Yes. Nickel is a transition metal.
Explore nearby elements
More transition metals: Chromium, Manganese, Iron, Cobalt, Copper, Zinc. See all elements on the periodic table.