NaCl
Sodium chloride
Na+ balances chloride ions.
What Is the Charge of Sodium?
Sodium commonly forms Na+ in introductory ionic compounds.
Quick answer: Sodium usually has a common ionic charge of +1, written as Na+.
| Element | Sodium |
|---|---|
| Symbol | Na |
| Atomic number | 11 |
| Common ionic charge | +1 |
| Common ions | Na+ |
Why Sodium has this charge
Sodium is an alkali metal, so it commonly loses one electron and forms a +1 ion.
Sodium charge examples
Na2O
Sodium oxide
Sodium can form oxides where total positive and negative charge balances.
FAQ
Is Sodium 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.