BiCl3
Bismuth chloride
Bi3+ balances chloride ions.
What Is the Charge of Bismuth?
Bismuth commonly forms Bi3+ Bi5+ in introductory ionic compounds.
Quick answer: Bismuth usually has a common ionic charge of +3 or +5, written as Bi3+ or Bi5+.
| Element | Bismuth |
|---|---|
| Symbol | Bi |
| Atomic number | 83 |
| Common ionic charge | +3, +5 |
| Common ions | Bi3+, Bi5+ |
Why Bismuth has this charge
Bismuth has common reference charges of +3, +5. Use the compound name and context to distinguish ionic charge from oxidation state.
Bismuth charge examples
Bi2O3
Bismuth oxide
Bismuth can form oxides where total positive and negative charge balances.
FAQ
Is Bismuth 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.