Overview
This set reviews 60 common cations and anions, including their names, formulas, and charges, essential for chemistry courses and exams.
Common Monoatomic Cations
- Aluminum: Al³⁺
- Barium: Ba²⁺
- Calcium: Ca²⁺
- Hydrogen: H⁺
- Lithium: Li⁺
- Magnesium: Mg²⁺
- Potassium: K⁺
- Silver: Ag⁺
- Sodium: Na⁺
- Strontium: Sr²⁺
- Zinc: Zn²⁺
Common Monoatomic Anions
- Bromide: Br⁻
- Chloride: Cl⁻
- Fluoride: F⁻
- Iodide: I⁻
- Oxide: O²⁻
- Sulfide: S²⁻
Transition Metal Ions
- Copper(I): Cu⁺
- Copper(II): Cu²⁺
- Iron(II): Fe²⁺
- Iron(III): Fe³⁺
- Lead(II): Pb²⁺
- Lead(IV): Pb⁴⁺
- Mercury(I): Hg₂²⁺
- Mercury(II): Hg²⁺
- Nickel: Ni²⁺
- Tin(II): Sn²⁺
- Tin(IV): Sn⁴⁺
Common Polyatomic Ions
- Acetate: C₂H₃O₂⁻ (or CH₃COO⁻)
- Ammonium: NH₄⁺
- Bicarbonate: HCO₃⁻
- Carbonate: CO₃²⁻
- Chlorate: ClO₃⁻
- Chlorite: ClO₂⁻
- Chromate: CrO₄²⁻
- Cyanide: CN⁻
- Dichromate: Cr₂O₇²⁻
- Hydronium: H₃O⁺
- Hydroxide: OH⁻
- Nitrate: NO₃⁻
- Nitrite: NO₂⁻
- Perchlorate: ClO₄⁻
- Permanganate: MnO₄⁻
- Peroxide: O₂²⁻
- Phosphate: PO₄³⁻
- Phosphite: PO₃³⁻
- Sulfate: SO₄²⁻
- Sulfite: SO₃²⁻
- Thiocyanate: SCN⁻
- Thiosulfate: S₂O₃²⁻
Less Common Polyatomic Ions
- Bisulfate: HSO₄⁻
- Hypobromite: BrO⁻
- Hypochlorite: ClO⁻
- Hypoiodite: IO⁻
- Iodate: IO₃⁻
- Iodite: IO₂⁻
- Perbromate: BrO₄⁻
- Periodate: IO₄⁻
Key Terms & Definitions
- Ion — An atom or molecule with a net charge due to gaining or losing electrons.
- Cation — A positively charged ion.
- Anion — A negatively charged ion.
- Polyatomic ion — An ion composed of two or more atoms bonded together with a net charge.
- Transition metal ions — Variable charge cations formed by transition metals.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Memorize ion names, formulas, and charges for upcoming quizzes or exams.
- Practice writing and identifying compounds with these ions.