How to Find the Valence Electrons for Zinc (Zn)

To find the number of valence electrons for Zinc (Zn) we need to look at its electron configuration. This is necessary because Zn is a transition metal (d block element) and we need to take into account electrons found in its d orbitals.

We can write this in condensed electron configuration for Zinc as:
[Ar] 3d¹⁰ 4s²

This allows us to look at the number of electrons outside of the Noble Gas core. For Zn this means we have 12 valence electrons. However since Zinc only forms 2+ ions it could be argued that the 4s² represent the valance electrons for Zinc.

Note that for transition metals, like Zinc, not all of the valence electrons have to be used to form chemical bonds with other elements.

More on Valence Electrons for Transition Metals:

Definition of Valence in Transition Metals:
Miessler G.L. and Tarr, D.A., Inorganic Chemistry (2nd edn. Prentice-Hall 1999). p.48.

Helpful videos:

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[Draontail]

Why does it end with 3p10 and 4s2 while the diagonal elektron config chart says that 4s2 comes before 3d10?

[rssl]

it’s [Ar] 4s2 3d10 hence 12 balance electrons (it’s the number of electrons in s orbital plus d orbital)
or we could just Say it’s the number of group which is 12

[Donald_Chung]

Because of the empty 4s shell of Sc3+ and Zn2+ ions, they are colourless in aqueous solution. And in fact zinc, cadmium and mercury's maximum oxidation state is +2, although the existence of HgF4 is disputed.

[tianenzheng]

thanks a lot for the video really cleared up the topic for me, I was having trouble understanding and I think this really helped me. So thanks again, and I subbed.

[RafaelCanasta]

Electron configuration isn't right. It should be "1s 2s 2p 3s 3p 4s 3d 4p 5s

[jaatAnkur]

What do you want to say😠😠😠😠😠not understanded a single word