GROUP 12: ZINC GROUP

Zinc Group Overview

Also known as: Volatile metals

Group Members: Zinc (Zn), Cadmium (Cd), Mercury (Hg), Copernicium (Cn)

Common Properties: All have low melting points compared to other transition metals, form +2 oxidation state, relatively reactive

Zn

Zinc

Essential
Atomic Number 30
Atomic Mass 65.38 u
Electron Config [Ar] 3d¹⁰ 4s²
Common Ions Zn²⁺
Melting Point 419.5°C
Density 7.14 g/cm³
Zinc is essential for all living things - over 100 enzymes require zinc to function!

Properties: Bluish-white, moderately reactive, essential nutrient

Applications: Galvanizing steel, brass production, batteries, sunscreens, dietary supplements

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Cd

Cadmium

Toxic
Atomic Number 48
Atomic Mass 112.41 u
Electron Config [Kr] 4d¹⁰ 5s²
Common Ions Cd²⁺
Melting Point 321.1°C
Density 8.65 g/cm³
Cadmium produces brilliant yellow, orange and red pigments but is being phased out due to toxicity!

Properties: Soft, bluish-white, toxic, corrosion-resistant

Applications: Nickel-cadmium batteries, pigments, electroplating, nuclear reactors

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Hg

Mercury

Liquid Metal
Atomic Number 80
Atomic Mass 200.59 u
Electron Config [Xe] 4f¹⁴ 5d¹⁰ 6s²
Common Ions Hg²⁺, Hg₂²⁺
Melting Point -38.8°C
Density 13.53 g/cm³
Mercury is the only metal that is liquid at standard room temperature and pressure!

Properties: Liquid at room temperature, silvery, toxic, high surface tension

Applications: Thermometers, barometers, fluorescent lights, dental amalgams, switches

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Cn

Copernicium

Synthetic
Atomic Number 112
Atomic Mass 285 u
Electron Config [Rn] 5f¹⁴ 6d¹⁰ 7s²
Common Ions Cn²⁺
Half-life ~30 seconds
Stability Synthetic
Copernicium is named after Nicolaus Copernicus, the astronomer who proposed the heliocentric model!

Properties: Synthetic radioactive metal, extremely short-lived, may be liquid at room temperature

Applications: Scientific research only

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