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The Epic Interactive Encyclopedia 1998
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Epic Interactive Encyclopedia, The - 1998 Edition (1998)(Epic Marketing).iso
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N
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Nickel
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1992-09-01
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743b
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A hard, malleable and ductile, silver-white
metallic element, symbol Ni, atomic number
28, atomic weight 58.71. It occurs in igneous
rocks and as a free metal (native metal),
occasionally occurring in fragments of
iron-nickel meteorites. It is a component of
the Earth's core, which is held to consist
principally of iron with some nickel. It has
a high melting point, low electrical and
thermal conductivity, and can be magnetized.
It does not tarnish and therefore is much
used for alloys, electroplating, and for
coinage. It was discovered in 1751 by Swedish
mineralogist A F Cronstedt and the name given
as an abbreviated form of Kopparnickel,
Swedish for false copper, since the ore in
which it is found resembles copper but yields
none.