Types of metal - Part 6 Nickel - Information for kids

Today we will be learning about another type of element or metal called nickel.

1. What does nickel look like?
2. What protects nickel that it does not easily react with oxygen?
3. Where in earth is nickel found?
4. Who discovered nickel the first time?

During the middle ages in Germany, nickel was discovered, but the people thought it was copper ore.  When they tried to take the copper from the ore, nothing happened.  They blamed a myth of a spirit that played the fool called Nickel and they decided to call this ore 'Kupfernickel'.

In 1751, Baron Axel Fredrik Cronstedt discovered nickel while trying to extract copper from the ore kupfernickel. He named the white metal substance nickel after the spirit that had given its name to the ore. 

Nickel is hard and ductile which means it can be used for things like coins that have to be durable and will be used a lot.  

Nickel is one of only 4 metals that are magnetic.

Magnets only attract certain types of metals, othermaterials such as glass, plastic and wood aren't attracted. Metals such as iron, nickel and cobalt are attracted to magnets. Most metals however are not attracted to magnets, these include copper, silver,gold, magnesium, platinum, aluminium and more. 

There are sites all over the world where nickel can be found and some of these sites that delivers a lot of nickel are South Africa, Canada, Australia, Russia and Indonesia.

Most of the time nickel is used to form different alloys - mixing it with other metals like copper, aluminium, silver and bronze to form nickel steel, brasses and bronzes and nickel cast iron.

Nickel was a metal that were used in many countries to make coins, but many people actually showed allergies to it and it was discovered that other metals can be used that will be cheaper to manufacture the coins.

People can have allergic reactions to nickel through skin contact. Traditionally, nickel has been used to make jewelry such as earrings. Nickel allergies affecting pierced ears often result in itchy, red skin, therefore many earrings are now made nickel-free. 

1. How will nickel get into your body?
2. How do nickel allergies develop?
3. What is the symptoms of nickel allergy?
4. Is this a dangerous allergy?
5. How can you relieve yourself from this allergy?
6. When will you show a nickel allergy?
7. How can you determine if you are allergic to nickel?

Nickel is rarely found in the earth's crust, but it is found in the core, which means you have to go down in a mine to find it.

Nickel is used to make stainless steel - nickel is a metal that will not corrode/rust and this is used to give the property to stainless steel.  A steel used that is free from corrosion.

In the USA the 5 cent is called a nickle, even though the coin only contains 25% nickel and 75% copper.