Chemistry

Question Analysis
This question tests the student's ability to apply the Aufbau principle and understand the electron configuration of elements with higher atomic numbers, including the filling of d orbitals.

Key Concept Explanation
The Aufbau principle guides the order in which orbitals are filled. For zinc (Zn, atomic number 30), the 4s orbital is filled before the 3d orbital, and the 3d orbital is fully filled to achieve a more stable configuration.

Step-by-step Solution
1. Identify the total number of electrons in a zinc atom: 30.
2. Fill the orbitals in the order of increasing energy: 1s (2 electrons) → 2s (2 electrons) → 2p (6 electrons) → 3s (2 electrons) → 3p (6 electrons) → 4s (2 e...