Element Charges Chart

Common Charges of Element Atoms

chemical elements
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By
Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D.
Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D.
Chemistry Expert
  • Ph.D., Biomedical Sciences, University of Tennessee at Knoxville
  • B.A., Physics and Mathematics, Hastings College
Dr. Helmenstine holds a Ph.D. in biomedical sciences and is a science writer, educator, and consultant. She has taught science courses at the high school, college, and graduate levels.
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Updated on July 18, 2022

This is a chart of the most common charges for atoms of the chemical elements. You can use this chart to predict whether or not an atom can bond with another atom. The charge on an atom is related to its valence electrons or oxidation state. An atom of an element is most stable when its outer electron shell is completely filled or half-filled. The most common charges are based on maximum stability for the atom. However, other charges are possible.

Color Periodic Table of the Elements with Charges
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Color Periodic Table of the Elements With Charges
By Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D.

For example, hydrogen sometimes has a charge of zero or (less commonly) -1. Although noble gas atoms almost always carry a charge of zero, these elements do form compounds, which means they can gain or lose electrons and carry a charge.

Table of Common Element Charges

Number

 Element Charge
1 hydrogen 1+
2 helium 0
3 lithium 1+
4 beryllium 2+
5 boron 3-, 3+
6 carbon 4+
7 nitrogen 3-
8 oxygen 2-
9 fluorine 1-
10 neon 0
11 sodium 1+
12 magnesium 2+
13 aluminum 3+
14 silicon 4+, 4-
15 phosphorus 5+, 3+, 3-
16 sulfur 2-, 2+, 4+, 6+
17 chlorine 1-
18 argon 0
19 potassium 1+
20 calcium 2+
21 scandium 3+
22 titanium 4+, 3+
23 vanadium 2+, 3+, 4+, 5+
24 chromium 2+, 3+, 6+
25 manganese 2+, 4+, 7+
26 iron 2+, 3+
27 cobalt 2+, 3+
28 nickel 2+
29 copper 1+, 2+
30 zinc 2+
31 gallium 3+
32 germanium 4-, 2+, 4+
33 arsenic 3-, 3+, 5+
34 selenium 2-, 4+, 6+
35 bromine 1-, 1+, 5+
36 krypton 0
37 rubidium 1+
38 strontium 2+
39 yttrium 3+
40 zirconium 4+
41 niobium 3+, 5+
42 molybdenum 3+, 6+
43 technetium 6+
44 ruthenium 3+, 4+, 8+
45 rhodium 4+
46 palladium 2+, 4+
47 silver 1+
48 cadmium 2+
49 indium 3+
50 tin 2+, 4+
51 antimony 3-, 3+, 5+
52 tellurium 2-, 4+, 6+
53 iodine 1-
54 xenon 0
55 cesium 1+
56 barium 2+
57 lanthanum 3+
58 cerium 3+, 4+
59 praseodymium 3+
60 neodymium 3+, 4+
61 promethium 3+
62 samarium 3+
63 europium 3+
64 gadolinium 3+
65 terbium 3+, 4+
66 dysprosium 3+
67 holmium 3+
68 erbium 3+
69 thulium 3+
70 ytterbium 3+
71 lutetium 3+
72 hafnium 4+
73 tantalum 5+
74 tungsten 6+
75 rhenium 2+, 4+, 6+, 7+
76 osmium 3+, 4+, 6+, 8+
77 iridium 3+, 4+, 6+
78 platinum 2+, 4+, 6+
79 gold 1+, 2+, 3+
80 mercury 1+, 2+
81 thallium 1+, 3+
82 lead 2+, 4+
83 bismuth 3+
84 polonium 2+, 4+
85 astatine ?
86 radon 0
87 francium ?
88 radium 2+
89 actinium 3+
90 thorium 4+
91 protactinium 5+
92 uranium 3+, 4+, 6+
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Your Citation
Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. "Element Charges Chart." ThoughtCo, Jul. 18, 2022, thoughtco.com/element-charges-chart-603986. Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. (2022, July 18). Element Charges Chart. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/element-charges-chart-603986 Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. "Element Charges Chart." ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/element-charges-chart-603986 (accessed April 25, 2024).