The Element of Zinc

Name: Zinc
Symbol: Zn
Atomic number: 30
Atomic weight: 65.38 (2) [see note g]
Standard state: solid at 298 K
CAS Registry ID: 7440-66-6
Group in periodic table: 12
Group name: (none)
Period in periodic table: 4
Block in periodic table: d-block
Colour: bluish pale grey
Classification: Metallic
Electron Configuration: [Ar] 4s
2
3d
10

Word Origin: German zinke: of obscure origin, probably German for tine. Zinc metal
crystals are sharp and pointed. It could also be attributed to the German word 'zin'
meaning tin.
Isotopes: There are 30 known isotopes of zinc ranging from Zn-54 to Zn-83 . Zinc has five
stable isotopes: Zn-64 (48.63%), Zn-66 (27.90%), Zn-67 (4.10%), Zn-68 (18.75%)
and Zn-70 (0.6%).
Properties: Zinc has a melting point of 419.58C, boiling point of 907C, specific gravity of
7.133 (25C), with a valence of 2. Zinc is a lustous blue-white metal. It is brittle at low
temperatures, but becomes malleable at 100-150C. It is a fair electrical conductor. Zinc
burns in air at high red heat, evolving white clouds of zinc oxide.
Uses: Zinc is used to form numerous alloys, including brass, bronze, nickel silver, soft
solder, Geman silver, spring brass, and aluminum solder. Zinc is used to make die
castings for use in the electrical, automotive, and hardware industries. The alloy Prestal,
consisting of 78% zinc and 22% aluminum, is nearly as strong as steel yet exhibits
superplasticity. Zinc is used to galvanize other metals to prevent corrosion. Zinc oxide is
used in paints, rubbers, cosmetics, plastics, inks, soap, batteries, pharmaceuticals, and
many other products. Other zinc compounds are also widely used, such as zinc sulfide
(luminous dials and fluorescent lights) and ZrZn
2
(ferromagnetic materials). Zinc is an
essential element for humans and other animal nutrition. Zinc-deficient animals require
50% more food to gain the same weight as animals with sufficient zinc. Zinc metal is not
considered toxic, but if fresh zinc oxide is inhaled it can cause a disorder referred to as
zinc chills or oxide shakes.
Sources: The primary ores of zinc are sphalerite or blende (zinc sulfide), smithsonite (zinc
carbonate), calamine (zinc silicate), and franklinite (zinc, iron, and manganese oxides).
An old method of producing zinc was by reducing calamine with charcoal. More recently,
it has been obtained by roasting the ores to form zinc oxide and then reducing the oxide
with carbon or coal, followed by distillation of the metal.
Element Classification: Transition Metal
Density (g/cc): 7.133
Melting Point (K): 692.73
Boiling Point (K): 1180
Appearance: Bluish-silver, ductile metal
Atomic Radius (pm): 138
Atomic Volume (cc/mol): 9.2
Covalent Radius (pm): 125
Ionic Radius: 74 (+2e)
Specific Heat (@20C J/g mol): 0.388
Fusion Heat (kJ/mol): 7.28
Evaporation Heat (kJ/mol): 114.8
Debye Temperature (K): 234.00
Pauling Negativity Number: 1.65
First Ionizing Energy (kJ/mol): 905.8
Oxidation States: +1 and +2. +2 is the most common.
Lattice Structure: Hexagonal
Lattice Constant (): 2.660