The activation energy of dissociative adsorption of oxygen on polycrystalline nickel surface is calculated from adsorption isotherms obtained using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Negative value of this activation energy (-5.9 kJ/mol) indicates that the adsorption takes place through an undissociated precursor state. An adsorption energy for this precursor state is calculated assuming the precursor state as a moleculary physisorbed state ($E_{ad}$ = -7.9 kJ/mol). Finally, an adsorption isotherm equation is derived as a function of the gas exposure, which agrees with the experimental isotherms reasonably good.