Element 30 · Transition metal
Zinc (Zn) — Element 30
German Zink
Zinc (Zn) is a transition metal in Period 4, Group 12 of the periodic table with atomic number 30, standard atomic weight 65.38 u, and ground-state electron configuration [Ar] 3d¹⁰ 4s². At standard temperature and pressure it is classified as a solid with 12 valence electrons and common oxidation states +2.
Galvanizing, brass, batteries
What are the atomic properties and physical constants of Zinc?
Reference constants compiled from IUPAC standard atomic weights, the NIST Atomic Spectra Database, and the CRC Handbook.
- Atomic number (Z)
- 30
- Standard atomic mass
- 65.38 u
- Chemical family
- Transition metal
- Ground-state configuration
- [Ar] 3d¹⁰ 4s²
- Electrons per shell
- 2, 8, 18, 2
- Valence electrons
- 12
- Common ion charges / oxidation states
- +2
- Phase at STP
- Solid
- Pauling electronegativity
- 1.65 Pauling
- First ionization energy
- 906 kJ/mol
- Atomic radius
- 142 pm
- Melting point
- 420 °C
- Boiling point
- 907 °C
- Discovery year
- 1746
- Table coordinate
- Period 4, Group 12
- Radioactivity
- Has stable isotope(s)
How are electrons arranged across Zinc’s shells?
A neutral Zinc atom contains 30 electrons distributed across 4 occupied principal energy shells ([Ar] 3d¹⁰ 4s²). The table below compares Zinc’s shell occupancy against each shell’s theoretical 2n² capacity.
| Principal Shell (n) | Spectroscopic Letter | Electrons in Zn | Max Shell Capacity (2n²) |
|---|---|---|---|
| n = 1 | K | 2 e⁻ | 2 e⁻ |
| n = 2 | L | 8 e⁻ | 8 e⁻ |
| n = 3 | M | 18 e⁻ | 18 e⁻ |
| n = 4 | N | 2 e⁻ | 32 e⁻ |
Frequently Asked Questions about Zinc (Zn)
What is the atomic mass and atomic number of Zinc (Zn)?
Zinc (Zn) has atomic number Z = 30 (30 protons in its nucleus) and an IUPAC standard atomic weight of 65.38 u. It sits in Period 4, Group 12 and is classified as a transition metal.
What is the ground-state electron configuration of Zinc?
The neutral ground-state electron configuration of Zinc (Z = 30) is [Ar] 3d¹⁰ 4s². Across its 4 occupied principal shells (n = 1 to n = 4), the electrons per shell are 2, 8, 18, 2, with 12 valence electrons participating in bonding.
What are the common ion charges and electronegativity of Zinc?
Zinc commonly forms +2 oxidation states or ion charges in compounds. Its Pauling electronegativity is 1.65 and its first ionization energy is 906 kJ/mol.
When was Zinc discovered and what is it used for?
Zinc was discovered in 1746 (German Zink). Galvanizing, brass, batteries
How does Zinc compare to neighboring elements?
Other transition metal elements: