CsCl
Cesium chloride
Cs+ balances chloride ions.
What Is the Charge of Cesium?
Cesium commonly forms Cs+ in introductory ionic compounds.
Quick answer: Cesium usually has a common ionic charge of +1, written as Cs+.
| Element | Cesium |
|---|---|
| Symbol | Cs |
| Atomic number | 55 |
| Common ionic charge | +1 |
| Common ions | Cs+ |
Why Cesium has this charge
Cesium is an alkali metal, so it commonly loses one electron and forms a +1 ion.
Cesium charge examples
Cs2O
Cesium oxide
Cesium can form oxides where total positive and negative charge balances.
FAQ
Is Cesium 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.