BeCl2
Beryllium chloride
Be2+ balances chloride ions.
What Is the Charge of Beryllium?
Beryllium commonly forms Be2+ in introductory ionic compounds.
Quick answer: Beryllium usually has a common ionic charge of +2, written as Be2+.
| Element | Beryllium |
|---|---|
| Symbol | Be |
| Atomic number | 4 |
| Common ionic charge | +2 |
| Common ions | Be2+ |
Why Beryllium has this charge
Beryllium is an alkaline earth metal, so it commonly loses two electrons and forms a +2 ion.
Beryllium charge examples
BeO
Beryllium oxide
Beryllium can form oxides where total positive and negative charge balances.
FAQ
Is Beryllium charge the same as oxidation state?
Ionic charge is the charge on an actual ion. Oxidation state is a bookkeeping number used inside compounds. They can match, but they are not always the same thing.
How do I use this in formulas?
Combine positive and negative ions so the total charge is zero. You can also use the ionic compound calculator.
Where can I see the full chart?
Use the periodic table with charges or the ionic charges chart.