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30 Zn Zinc 65.382

Zinc

TRANSITION METAL
Bohr Model: Electrons arranged in energy shells around the nucleus.

Zinc, in commerce also spelter, is a chemical element with symbol Zn and atomic number 30. It is the first element of group 12 of the periodic table. In some respects zinc is chemically similar to magnesium:its ion is of similar size and its only common oxidation state is +2.

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Quick Facts

Atomic Number 30
Period 4
Group 12
Phase Solid
Appearance silver-gray
About Transition Metals

Transition metals are elements with partially filled d-orbitals. They are hard, have high melting points, and often form colored compounds.

History

Discovered By India
Named By Unknown

Physical Properties

Atomic Mass 65.382
Density 7.14 g/L
Molar Heat 25.47 J/(mol·K)
Phase Transition (Melting & Boiling Points)

Zinc melts at 692.68 K and boils at 1180 K.

Atomic Properties

Electron Config [Ar] 3d10 4s2
Electronegativity 1.65
Electron Affinity -58 kJ/mol
Ionization Energy 906.4 kJ/mol
Orbital Filling Diagram
This diagram visualizes electron configuration according to the Aufbau principle and Hund's rule. Boxes represent orbitals (s, p, d, f), while arrows indicate electrons with spin up or down. Electrons fill lower energy levels first and occupy orbitals singly before pairing.

Photograph

Image of Zinc Source: Wikipedia

External Resources

Wikipedia PubChem Royal Society of Chemistry Periodic Videos (YouTube)

Study Guide

Atomic Number

The number of protons in the nucleus, which defines the element.

Atomic Mass

The average mass of an atom, including protons and neutrons.

Electronegativity

A measure of how strongly an atom attracts electrons in a bond.

Ionization Energy

The energy required to remove an electron from an atom.

Electron Config

The arrangement of electrons in the atom's energy shells.