Na2Se
sodium selenium compound
Sodium ions can balance Se2- in simple ionic examples.
What Is the Charge of Selenium?
Selenium commonly forms Se2- Se4+ Se6+ in introductory ionic compounds.
Quick answer: Selenium usually has a common ionic charge of -2 or +4 or +6, written as Se2- or Se4+ or Se6+.
| Element | Selenium |
|---|---|
| Symbol | Se |
| Atomic number | 34 |
| Common ionic charge | -2, +4, +6 |
| Common ions | Se2-, Se4+, Se6+ |
Why Selenium has this charge
Selenium has common reference charges of -2, +4, +6. Use the compound name and context to distinguish ionic charge from oxidation state.
Selenium charge examples
CaSe
calcium selenium compound
Calcium ions can balance common negative Selenium ions.
FAQ
Is Selenium 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.