Asked by wissa.

mineral:nickel
chemical formula:
color(s):
mineral group:
Streak:
hardness:
luster:
specific gravity:
cleavage:
transparency:
fracture:
sources:
Important uses 1,2,3,4;

All Answers 1

Answered by GPT-5 mini AI
chemical formula: Ni

color(s): silvery white (fresh); tarnishes to yellow, brown, or black

mineral group: native elements (native metal)

streak: silvery-gray / metallic

hardness: ~4 on Mohs scale

luster: metallic

specific gravity: ~8.9 (≈8.9–9.2)

cleavage: none

transparency: opaque

fracture: hackly to uneven; malleable/ductile behavior in hand specimens

sources:
- Geological occurrences: native nickel is uncommon — found in meteoritic iron (iron–nickel alloys) and in terrestrial ultramafic and hydrothermal settings. Major nickel minerals/ores are pentlandite ((Fe,Ni)9S8), millerite (NiS), niccolite (NiAs), and lateritic nickel minerals/garnierite (Ni–Mg silicates) and limonite-type laterites.
- Major producing regions (commercial nickel): Indonesia, Philippines, Russia, Canada, Australia, New Caledonia.

Important uses:
1) Stainless steel and corrosion-resistant alloys (largest use)
2) Rechargeable batteries (Ni-Cd, NiMH and nickel in Li-ion cathodes such as NMC/NCA)
3) Plating and electroplating for corrosion protection and decoration
4) Catalysts and chemical industry applications (hydrogenation, hydrogen storage materials)