Zinc (Zn): electron configuration, atomic mass and facts
Zinc (Zn) is element 30 of the periodic table, a transition metal in period 4, group 12. Its electron configuration is [Ar] 3d10 4s2, with electrons arranged in shells 2, 8, 18, 2, and its standard atomic weight is 65.38 u.
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▶ Watch Zinc’s electrons orbit in the interactive periodic tableZinc at a glance
| Symbol | Zn |
|---|---|
| Atomic number | 30 |
| Atomic mass | 65.38 u |
| Category | Transition metal |
| Group | 12 |
| Period | 4 |
| Block | d-block |
| Electron configuration | 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 3d10 4s2 |
| Noble-gas shorthand | [Ar] 3d10 4s2 |
| Electrons per shell | 2, 8, 18, 2 |
| Electronegativity (Pauling) | 1.65 |
| State at 20 °C | solid |
Where is Zinc on the periodic table?
Zinc is in period 4, group 12, in the d-block. The period number matches its 4 electron shells, and the block names the subshell its last electrons fill. In the same group, Cadmium sits directly below it. Elements in the same column of the d-block often have similar chemistry.
How to work out the electron configuration of Zinc
Put 30 electrons into subshells in order of rising energy, filling each before starting the next: 1s² (2), 2s² (4), 2p⁶ (10), 3s² (12), 3p⁶ (18), 4s² (20), 3d¹⁰ (30). In shorthand, [Ar] stands for the 18 electrons of argon, giving [Ar] 3d¹⁰ 4s².
How electronegative is Zinc?
Zinc has a Pauling electronegativity of 1.65, ranking 47 of the 100 elements with a known value (fluorine is highest at 3.98). That is in the middle of the range.
Zinc in the virtual lab
Faradium’s chemistry workbench includes these chemicals that contain zinc: Zinc granules, Zinc sulfate. Open the Chemistry Lab to experiment with them.
Frequently asked questions
What is the electron configuration of Zinc?
The electron configuration of Zinc (Zn) is 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 3d10 4s2. In noble-gas shorthand it is written [Ar] 3d10 4s2.
How many electrons does Zinc have in each shell?
Zinc has 30 electrons arranged in shells as 2, 8, 18, 2.
What is the atomic mass of Zinc?
The standard atomic weight of Zinc is 65.38 u, so one mole of Zinc atoms has a mass of about 65.38 g.
Is Zinc a metal?
Yes. Zinc is a transition metal.
Explore nearby elements
More transition metals: Chromium, Manganese, Iron, Cobalt, Nickel, Copper. See all elements on the periodic table.