Ions and the Periodic Table

Can you see a trend in the ion charges on the periodic table?

Look at a periodic table and decide:

1. What is the charge of any element in group IA?
2. What is the charge of any element in group IIA?
3. What is the charge of any element in group IIIA?
4. What is the charge of any element in group IVA?
5. What is the charge of any element in group VA?
6. What is the charge of any element in group VIA?
7. What is the charge of any element in group VIIA?

Check your answers!

Remember: Group VIIIA elements do not form ions because these noble gases have a full valence level of electrons. They are stable, and thus are sometimes called the inert gases.