A transition metal is defined as an element that has an incomplete d-subshell either in its ground state or in any of its oxidation states.
- Zinc (Zn) has the electronic configuration: [Ar] 3d\(^{10}\) 4s\(^{2}\). It has a completely filled d-orbital in both its elemental and common oxidation state (+2), hence it is not a transition metal.
- Iron (Fe), Chromium (Cr), and Copper (Cu) all have partially filled d-orbitals in their common oxidation states and thus qualify as transition metals.