Iron (Fe) VS Nickel (Ni)
A definitive side-by-side comparison of two essential element profiles.
VS
Main Differences
Iron (Fe) is an element in the transition metals category with an atomic number of 26. Nickel (Ni) is an element in the transition metals category with an atomic number of 28.
Nickel (Ni) is 1.1x denser than Iron (Fe). Furthermore, Iron (Fe) melts at a significantly higher temperature than Nickel (Ni) (a difference of 83.0 Kelvin).
Where do the names come from?
Fe Iron (Fe) Naming History
The name Iron comes from the Anglo-Saxon name ''iren''.
Ni Nickel (Ni) Naming History
The name is the shortened for of the German 'kupfernickel' meaning either devil's copper or St. Nicholas's copper.
Related Comparisons
Compare
Iron (Fe)
Nickel (Ni)
Category
Transition Metals
Transition Metals
Atomic Number
26
28
Symbol
Fe
Ni
Atomic Mass
55.845 u
58.693 u
Group
8
10
Period
4
4
Block
d-block
d-block
Standard State (at 20°C)
solid
solid
Density
7.874 g/cm³
8.908 g/cm³
Melting Point (°C)
1538°C
1455°C
Melting Point (°F)
2800°F
2651°F
Melting Point (K)
1811 K
1728 K
Boiling Point (°C)
2861°C
2913°C
Boiling Point (°F)
5182°F
5275°F
Boiling Point (K)
3134 K
3186 K
Year Discovered:
Ancient
1751
CAS Number
7439-89-6
7440-02-0
Origin of Name:
The name comes from the Anglo-Saxon name ''iren''.
The name is the shortened for of the German 'kupfernickel' meaning either devil's copper or St. Nicholas's copper.