GaCl3
Gallium chloride
Ga3+ balances chloride ions.
What Is the Charge of Gallium?
Gallium commonly forms Ga3+ in introductory ionic compounds.
Quick answer: Gallium usually has a common ionic charge of +3, written as Ga3+.
| Element | Gallium |
|---|---|
| Symbol | Ga |
| Atomic number | 31 |
| Common ionic charge | +3 |
| Common ions | Ga3+ |
Why Gallium has this charge
Gallium has common reference charges of +3. Use the compound name and context to distinguish ionic charge from oxidation state.
Gallium charge examples
Ga2O3
Gallium oxide
Gallium can form oxides where total positive and negative charge balances.
FAQ
Is Gallium 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.