Ions and Their Charges

General Chemistry Index

Where are we going with this? This page will assist in developing the ability to describe, classify, and give examples of various kinds of reactions: synthesis (i.e., combination), decomposition, single displacement, double displacement, acid/base, and combustion.

Ions and Their Charges

Metals in compounds will usually give electrons to nonmetals or polyatomic ions with a negative charge. Some metals will give different numbers of electrons depending on the other part of the reaction. 

Parts of a compound that give their electrons away are considered positive ions or cations. The parts of a compound that receive the electrons are negative ions or anions. 

Compounds will form in such a way that the net charge is zero. The valence number on the periodic table will reflect the charges of the elements.

Numerous elements will combine into polyatomic "chunks" and, as such, act like a single thing in a reaction. Listed below are some common (and not so common) polyatomic "chunks."

Polyatomic Ions

The following Google Sheet can be sorted… 

Also, you can "command-F" after clicking one of the cells and search it.

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Other Ions

In many reactions, the group in which an element is located will provide its charge. The table below is a handy reference.

Common Charges from Periodic Table Column / Family / Group
1	2	3-12	13	14	15	16	17	18
+1	+2	varies	+3	±4	-3	-2	-1	0

The following SORTABLE table presents the elements and their charges in list format.

Various Elements and Their Charges

The following Google Sheet can be sorted… 

Also, you can "command-F" after clicking one of the cells and search it.

Diatomic Elements

These elements bond to themselves in order to be more stable.

Hydrogen H2

Nitrogen N2

Oxygen O2

Fluorine F2

Chlorine Cl2

Bromine Br2

Iodine I2

SORTING THE TABLES:

Note: Sorting functionality is limited due to Google implementation of "sharing view only" functions.