Question

What is group $12$ on the periodic table called?

Answer 1

We have to know that the periodic table is the tabular display of chemical elements. These elements are arranged in the increasing order of atomic number, electronic configuration and the chemical properties. Hydrogen is the element with the lowest atomic number and oganesson is the element with highest atomic number. And the periodic table contains vertical columns and horizontal rows and it is known as groups and periods respectively.

Complete answer:
As we know that the group $12$ on the periodic table is called the zinc group. The elements belongs to the group $12$ are zinc $\left( {Zn} \right)$, cadmium $\left( {Cd} \right)$, mercury $\left( {Hg} \right)$, and copernicium $\left( {Cn} \right)$. And here, the zinc, cadmium and mercury are the most known elements. Because, these elements will show the common properties. And the outer electronic configuration of these elements are $n{s^2}\left( {n - 1} \right){d^{10}}$. And the oxidation state of the elements is $+ 2$. Because, it loses two electrons present in the s – orbital. The mercury forms the compounds by losing one electron. Hence, the oxidation state is $+ 1$. Therefore it consists of the diatomic mercurous ion, $Hg_2^{2 + }$.

Note:
We have to know that the group $12$ on the periodic table is known as the zinc group. Because, the first metal of this group is zinc. The elements present in these groups are widely used for the electronic and electric application and it is also used in different alloys. The group $12$ elements, zinc, cadmium and mercury are not transition elements due to its electronic configuration. And the outer orbitals are fully filled when the elements are in usual oxidation state as well as the ground state.