Zinc (Zn) is a transition metal which often have have a different ionic charge depending what it is chemically bonded to. For example, for Copper, the Cu+ and Cu 2+ ions, named Copper (I) and Copper (II) respectively, are the ions Copper will form.

However, Zinc is a special case and will only form Zn 2+ ions. It is helpful to memorize this exception.

When bonding with other elements Zinc will lose/transfer two electrons it will become Zn 2+

Note that when we look at the charge on ions, it is important to understand that ions come in pairs. For example, in an ionic compound like ZnCl2, the Zn is a positive ion (Zn2+) and has transferred/lost two electrons to each Chlorine atom which now has an extra electron and is negative (Cl-). We can dissolve ZnCl2 in water and it will split apart into Zn 2+ and two Cl- ions. The electrons from the Zn are now with the Cl atoms.

----- Helpful Videos -----
Ionic Charge for Transition Metals: [ Ссылка ]
Finding the Charge on Ion: [ Ссылка ]
Introduction to Writing Electron Configurations: [ Ссылка ]
How to Draw Lewis Structures: [ Ссылка ]
Finding Valence Electrons (element): [ Ссылка ]

Note that ionic charge and oxidation number are different concepts. While there is overlap, they are not the same thing. In this video we are discussing the ionic charge on Zinc.

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