Zinc #30 – Zn
Group:	12 (zinc group)
Period:	4
Atomic Weight:	65.38
Relative Density:	7.14
Melting point:	420 °C / 787 °F
Boiling point:	907 °C / 1665 °F

Nickel #28 – Ni
Group:	10 (nickel group)
Period:	4
Atomic Weight:	58.69
Relative Density:	8.91
Melting point:	1455 °C / 2651 °F
Boiling point:	2730 °C / 4946 °F

Perhaps the easiest elements to obtain in a pure form – at least if you live in North America – are Zinc (Zn) and Nickel (Ni). In fact, you may have them in your pockets right now!

American pennies minted since the 70s are not made of copper, despite their appearance. Rather, they are made of a 99% zinc core, coated with copper to give them their telltale look. The outer copper layer can be filed off, or the penny simply melted.

Zinc has a melting point of 420 °C (787 °F), whereas copper has a significantly higher melting point at 1085 °C (1984 °F). If you have not removed the copper, snip the penny in half and heat it up. A stovetop or hot plate can easily reach hot enough temperatures. Since zinc is more dense than copper, the copper coating will float on the liquid zinc, and this slag can be easily removed.

Zinc can also be found inside alkaline batteries mixed with potassium hydroxide (KOH). When added to acetone (nail polish remover), the zinc will precipitate to the bottom with time. If you follow the procedure for obtaining carbon from batteries, the casing of each 1.5v cell is also pure zinc. I used these for my sample, melted them, and removed the slag.

The name zinc is of German origin, from “zinken”, which translates to either “tin-like” or “jagged, tooth-like”, in reference to the sharp protrusions the metal forms.

As for nickel, look to the coins of the world’s biggest nickel producer: Canada. Oddly, the 5 cent “nickel” coin has been composed partly of copper since 1969. However, the 10 cent dime and 25 cent quarter were minted using 99% nickel between 1969 and 1999. Nickel has a high melting temperature of 1455 °C (2651 °F), but is fairly malleable. I struck mine using a hammer and locking pliers (vicegrip) to remove the features from the coin.

The name nickel is also of German origin, referencing a mischievous sprite in folklore. It was likely named this due to the difficulty alchemists experienced in separating it from copper.

Both zinc and nickel are commonly used to make stronger alloy metals; zinc for brass, nickel for stainless steel. Nickel is used in nickel cadmium (Ni-Cad) rechargeable batteries. Zinc, on the other hand, is used extensively to galvanise metal for corrosion and weather resistance.

Stainless steel

Galvanised nails