Chemical Element Charges Table

Most Common Charges for Atoms of the Chemical Elements

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Updated on May 07, 2024

This table shows the most common charges for atoms of the chemical elements. You can use this table to predict whether an atom can bond with another atom. The charge on an atom is related to its valence electrons or oxidation state.

The most common charges are based on maximum stability for the atom. However, other charges are possible. For example, hydrogen sometimes has a charge of zero or (less commonly) -1. Additionally, 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

By Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D.

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	1-
86	radon	0
87	francium	1+
88	radium	2+
89	actinium	3+
90	thorium	4+
91	protactinium	5+
92	uranium	3+, 4+, 6+

Common Charges for Different Element Types

Though atoms can technically carry any charge under the right conditions, many elements almost always possess a certain charge. For example, Group I elements on the periodic table, known as alkali metals, typically possess a +1 charge, Group II elements, referred to as alkaline earths, carry a +2 charge, and Group VII elements, or halogens, typically have a -1 charge. Lastly, Group VIII elements, the noble gases, generally carry a charge of 0.

Though these are the common charges for these groups, note that metal ions may exhibit other charges or oxidation states. For instance, copper commonly displays a +1 or +2 valence, and iron usually exhibits a +2 or +3 oxidation state.

Fast Fact

An atom of an element is most stable when its outer electron shell is completely filled or half-filled.

Periodic Table With Charges

Looking for a periodic table of elements with common charges? This table contains the most common charges along with the element number, element symbol, element name, and atomic weights of each element. And this one is suitable for printing.

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Your Citation

Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. "Chemical Element Charges Table." ThoughtCo, May. 8, 2024, thoughtco.com/element-charges-chart-603986. Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. (2024, May 8). Chemical Element Charges Table. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/element-charges-chart-603986 Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. "Chemical Element Charges Table." ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/element-charges-chart-603986 (accessed May 25, 2024).