PbCl2
Lead chloride
Pb2+ balances chloride ions.
What Is the Charge of Lead?
Lead commonly forms Pb2+ Pb4+ in introductory ionic compounds.
Quick answer: Lead usually has a common ionic charge of +2 or +4, written as Pb2+ or Pb4+.
| Element | Lead |
|---|---|
| Symbol | Pb |
| Atomic number | 82 |
| Common ionic charge | +2, +4 |
| Common ions | Pb2+, Pb4+ |
Why Lead has this charge
Lead has common reference charges of +2, +4. Use the compound name and context to distinguish ionic charge from oxidation state.
Lead charge examples
PbO
Lead oxide
Lead can form oxides where total positive and negative charge balances.
FAQ
Is Lead 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.