Quick answerZinc (Zn) is a transition metal with atomic number 30 and an atomic mass of 65.38 (2023), in group 12, period 4. It was discovered by Andreas Sigismund Marggraf in 1746. It is used for galvanising steel and brass production. Its electron configuration is [Ar] 3d10 4s2.
Zinc is the metal that stops steel from rusting, a thin coat of it, called galvanising, protects bridges, fences, and car bodies for decades. It also guards your immune system: zinc is essential in your diet, and zinc oxide soothes skin in sunscreens and nappy creams. Brass, the alloy of copper and zinc, has been used for instruments and ornaments for centuries.
Key facts
| Symbol | Zn |
|---|---|
| Atomic number | 30 |
| Atomic mass | 65.38 (IUPAC standard atomic weight, 2023) |
| Category | transition metal |
| Group | 12 |
| Period | 4 |
| Block | d-block |
| Electron configuration | [Ar] 3d10 4s2 |
| Discovered | Andreas Sigismund Marggraf, 1746 |
| Uses | galvanising steel, brass production, batteries, sunscreens and skin creams, dietary supplements |
Overview
Zinc is the metal that stops steel from rusting: a thin coat of it, called galvanising, protects bridges, fences and car bodies for decades. It has atomic number 30, an atomic mass of 65.38, and the electron configuration [Ar] 3d10 4s2, and it sits in group 12, period 4 of the periodic table. Andreas Sigismund Marggraf isolated it in 1746, although brass, its alloy with copper, had been made for centuries before anyone knew zinc was a separate element. Zinc's main use is protection: steel dipped in molten zinc gains a coating that sacrifices itself to corrosion, keeping the steel safe long after paint would have failed. Zinc also makes brass for instruments and ornaments, powers batteries, and goes into die-cast car parts and roofing. In the body, zinc is essential in small amounts: it guards the immune system, helps wounds heal and supports growth, which is why it is added to dietary supplements. Zinc oxide soothes skin in sunscreens and nappy creams, and zinc compounds protect wood and rubber. Zinc ore is mined mainly in China, Australia and Peru.
Frequently asked questions
What is zinc used for?
Zinc is mainly used to galvanise steel, coating bridges, fences and car bodies so they resist rust for decades. It also makes brass, powers batteries, and goes into die-cast parts and roofing. In the body it supports the immune system and wound healing, and zinc oxide soothes skin in sunscreens and nappy creams.
What is the symbol for zinc?
The chemical symbol for zinc is Zn, from its name, which probably comes from the German word Zinke, meaning prong, after the spiky crystals that formed in smelters. It has atomic number 30 and a standard atomic mass of 65.38, and Andreas Sigismund Marggraf isolated it in 1746, though brass was made long before.
What is the atomic number of zinc?
Zinc has atomic number 30, so it is the thirtieth element in the periodic table. Its atom holds thirty protons and thirty electrons, and its standard atomic mass is 65.38. It is a transition metal in group 12 and period 4, with the electron configuration [Ar] 3d10 4s2, and it is best known for galvanising steel.
Is zinc a metal?
Yes, zinc is a metal, a transition metal in group 12 of the periodic table. It is bluish-white, fairly soft and brittle at room temperature, and it is best known for galvanising steel to stop it rusting. It also makes brass with copper, and it is an essential nutrient in the human diet in small amounts.
Why is zinc good for the immune system?
Zinc supports the immune system because it is needed by white blood cells to develop and fight infection, and it helps wounds heal and supports growth. A shortage weakens immunity and slows healing, which is why zinc is added to dietary supplements. Meat, shellfish, nuts and seeds are all good sources of zinc.
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Keep exploring
- Periodic table — all 118 elements
- Scandium (Sc) — another transition metal, atomic number 21
- Titanium (Ti) — another transition metal, atomic number 22
- Vanadium (V) — another transition metal, atomic number 23
- Chromium (Cr) — another transition metal, atomic number 24
- Manganese (Mn) — another transition metal, atomic number 25
- Iron (Fe) — another transition metal, atomic number 26
- Cobalt (Co) — another transition metal, atomic number 27
- Nickel (Ni) — another transition metal, atomic number 28
- Copper (Cu) — another transition metal, atomic number 29
- Yttrium (Y) — another transition metal, atomic number 39
- All transition metal elements — on the periodic table
Sources & last updated
- CIAAW — Standard Atomic Weights
- PubChem Periodic Table
- Wikipedia — Timeline of chemical element discoveries
Last updated: . Figures are shown with their year; where sources disagree, the value is left out rather than estimated.