Element charge lookup

What Is the Charge of Terbium?

Terbium commonly forms Tb3+ Tb4+ in introductory ionic compounds.

Quick answer: Terbium usually has a common ionic charge of +3 or +4, written as Tb3+ or Tb4+.
ElementTerbium
SymbolTb
Atomic number65
Common ionic charge+3, +4
Common ionsTb3+, Tb4+

Why Terbium has this charge

Terbium is an lanthanide. Its chemistry can be specialized, but +3, +4 is the most useful introductory reference range.

This is a classroom reference range, not an exhaustive list of all oxidation states.

Terbium charge examples

TbCl3

Terbium chloride

Tb3+ balances chloride ions.

Tb2O3

Terbium oxide

Terbium can form oxides where total positive and negative charge balances.

FAQ

Is Terbium 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.

Sources and data notes

More element charges