ZnCl2
Zinc chloride
Zn2+ balances chloride ions.
What Is the Charge of Zinc?
Zinc commonly forms Zn2+ in introductory ionic compounds.
Quick answer: Zinc usually has a common ionic charge of +2, written as Zn2+.
| Element | Zinc |
|---|---|
| Symbol | Zn |
| Atomic number | 30 |
| Common ionic charge | +2 |
| Common ions | Zn2+ |
Why Zinc has this charge
Zinc is a transition metal. Transition metals can have multiple charges, so compound names and roman numerals matter.
This is a classroom reference range, not an exhaustive list of all oxidation states.
Zinc charge examples
ZnO
Zinc oxide
Zinc can form oxides where total positive and negative charge balances.
FAQ
Is Zinc charge the same as oxidation state?
Ionic charge is the charge on an actual ion. Oxidation state is a bookkeeping number used inside compounds. They can match, but they are not always the same thing.
How do I use this in formulas?
Combine positive and negative ions so the total charge is zero. You can also use the ionic compound calculator.
Where can I see the full chart?
Use the periodic table with charges or the ionic charges chart.