Final answer:
The condensed electron configuration for Zn²⁺ is [Ar]3d¹⁰. This results after zinc loses two electrons from the 4s orbital when forming the Zn²⁺ ion, creating a pseudo noble-gas electron configuration.
Step-by-step explanation:
To write the condensed (noble-gas) electron configuration of Zn²⁺, we must first consider the electron configuration of a neutral zinc atom. For zinc (Zn), the electron configuration is [Ar]4s²3d¹⁰. However, when zinc loses two electrons to form Zn²⁺, the two electrons are removed from the 4s orbital, leaving us with [Ar]3d¹⁰. This is because the 4s electrons are higher in energy and are typically lost first during cation formation.
The resulting electron configuration for Zn²⁺ is referred to as a pseudo noble-gas electron configuration, which gives stability to the ion, despite not being an actual noble gas configuration. This condensed electron configuration of Zn²⁺ ion mimics that of the noble gases, with a filled d orbital providing a certain level of stability to the ion.