Final answer:
Zinc (C) is the transition metal among the options provided, as it is located in group 12 of the periodic table, which encompasses the transition elements.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student has asked which among the listed elements is a transition metal:
- A) Nitrogen
- B) Sodium
- C) Zinc
- D) Oxygen
According to the periodic table, transition metals are found in groups 3-12. Among the options given, Zinc (Zn) is the correct answer as it is located in group 12 of the periodic table, which makes it a transition metal.
It's worth noting that although zinc is sometimes not considered a typical transition metal because it has a full d-subshell in its elemental form, it is still classified as a transition element according to IUPAC standards. Therefore, C) Zinc is the transition metal from the list provided.