The elements of group 12 i.e., Zinc, Cadmium, and Mercury are generally not regarded as transition elements as their atoms and all ions formed have completely filled d-orbitals i.e., these do not have partially filled d-orbitals in atomic state or common oxidation state (Zn 2+, Cd 2+, Hg 2+). Start studying Transition Metals. By definition, a transition metal must do this. Hence zinc do not form colored aqueous ions because it do not have at least one vacant d-orbital in which it can receive an electron in a reaction. The transition metals are malleable (easily hammered into shape or bent). These metals tend to be very hard. The transition metals are compounds that form at least 1 stable ion where the compound has an incomplete d subshell. Transition elements are defined as elements that form at least one ion that contains partially filled d orbitals. Explain why Zinc is not classified as a transition metal but is classified as a d block element. Zinc is not consider as a transition metal because its compounds or ions (Zn2+) contain a full filled d-orbital or sub shell and are unstable.Moreover it have only one ion which is the (Zn2+). Most transition metals are grayish or white (like iron or silver), but gold and copper have colors not seen in … The electronic configuration for a zinc atom is 1s 2, 2s 2, 2p 6, 3s 2, 3p 6, 4s 2, 3d 10. 13.2.2 Explain why Sc and Zn are not considered to be transition elements. Transition metals look shiny and metallic. Hence zinc do not form colored aqueous ions because it do not have at least one vacant d-orbital in which it can receive an electron in a reaction. Therefore, Scandium is not a transition metal, because it forms only Sc3+ ions with n d-electrons, and Zn is not a transition metal because it forms only Zn2+ ions with all the 3d electrons present. Scandium is not a typical transition metal as its common Sc 3+ has no d electrons. :D. Okay, I did my research and I found the reason why 'Zinc is not considered to be a transition metal'. Zinc is generally not considered a transition metal as it has a full d-shell, though it is considered a transition metal in some texts. Hello, it's Gloria! Scandium and zinc are not transition metals simply because they do not form ions with incomplete d-subshells. A Zn 2+ cation has shed the two electrons in … A transition metal element is defined as an element that possesses an incomplete d sub-level in one or more of its oxidation states. Zinc has full d orbits and therefore does not meet the definition of a transition metal, which is "a metal that forms one or more stable ions with incomplete d orbits". This is because it has a relatively low melting and boiling point; in general transition metals have HIGH melting and boiling points, melting at 420 °C, and boiling at 900 °C, and has the lowest melting point of all the transition metals aside from mercury and cadmium. 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