Question

Which is the electron configuration for zinc? A. 1s₂2s₂2p₆3s₂3p₆3d84s₂ B. 1s₂2s₂2p₆3s₂3p₆3d₁₀4s₁ C. 1s₂2s₂2p₅3s₂3p₆3d₁₀4s₂ D. 1s₂2s₂2p₆3s₂3p₆3d₁₀4s₂

Answer 1

Step-by-step explanation:

The atomic number of zinc is 30, which means that the neutral atom has equal numbers of protons and electrons, so a neutral atom of zinc would have 30 electrons.

The electron configuration of a neutral zinc atom is 1s

2

2s

2

2p

6

3s

2

3p

6

3d

10

4s

2

.

The Zn

2+

ion has lost two electrons, which leaves it with 30 protons and 28 electrons.

The electron configuration of Zn

2+

is 1s

2

2s

2

2p

6

3s

2

3p

6

3d

10

.