Can someone tell me? What is Zn²+ ?

Question

also what do these mean?:

1. Pb² +

2. Pb⁴ +

3. Hg² +

4. Ag +

5. Al³ +

6. Ga³ +

7. In³ +

8. Tl³ +

9. Ba² +

10. Be² +

11. Mg² +

12. Ca² +

13. Sr² +

14. Ra² +

my chemistry teacher told me to memorize them but i dont even know what they are!

Answer 1

The superscript does not mean "to the power of". Instead in each of the cases you cite, it refers to the number of positive charges on the metallic ions. Each metal atom has lost some electrons, leaving a residual positive charge equal to the number of missing electron charges. Typically they will be found in salts or solutions thereof.

For example PbCl2 is (Pb++ Cl- Cl-) in solution. In the solid, the various ions are held together by their negative-to-positive attraction, giving rise to the characteristic crystal structure.  

Answer 2

They are ions of the metal elements.  

Example: Pb is the symbol for lead.  I believe the +2 / +4 is the ionic charge created by the empty spaces in the elements electron levels that want to be filled.  

Just look at your periodic table for the names.  

Hg mercury Ag silver Ti titanium  and so forth....