RaCl2
Radium chloride
Ra2+ balances chloride ions.
What Is the Charge of Radium?
Radium commonly forms Ra2+ in introductory ionic compounds.
Quick answer: Radium usually has a common ionic charge of +2, written as Ra2+.
| Element | Radium |
|---|---|
| Symbol | Ra |
| Atomic number | 88 |
| Common ionic charge | +2 |
| Common ions | Ra2+ |
Why Radium has this charge
Radium is an alkaline earth metal, so it commonly loses two electrons and forms a +2 ion.
Radium charge examples
RaO
Radium oxide
Radium can form oxides where total positive and negative charge balances.
FAQ
Is Radium 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.