Which ion does zinc form?

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Multiple Choice

Which ion does zinc form?

Explanation:
Zinc forms ions by losing electrons to become positively charged. Its neutral atom has the electron arrangement [Ar] 3d10 4s2. To make an ion, it first loses the two 4s electrons, giving Zn2+ with the stable [Ar] 3d10 configuration. Losing a third electron would require removing an electron from the 3d subshell, which is much less favorable energetically, so Zn3+ is not common. Metallic zinc (Zn0) is the element in its metallic form, not an ion. In most compounds and solutions, zinc exists as Zn2+.

Zinc forms ions by losing electrons to become positively charged. Its neutral atom has the electron arrangement [Ar] 3d10 4s2. To make an ion, it first loses the two 4s electrons, giving Zn2+ with the stable [Ar] 3d10 configuration. Losing a third electron would require removing an electron from the 3d subshell, which is much less favorable energetically, so Zn3+ is not common. Metallic zinc (Zn0) is the element in its metallic form, not an ion. In most compounds and solutions, zinc exists as Zn2+.

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