

Most of the elements that make ionic compounds form an ion that has a characteristic charge. The number of each type of ion is indicated in the formula by the subscript. Notice that in this example there are two bromide ions (1– charge) needed for every one magnesium ion (2+ charge) in order for the overall charge of the compound to equal zero. For example, here is the formation of MgBr 2: In those cases, electron transfer occurs between more than one atom. Predicting charges on monatomic cations and anions Did you know that you can use the periodic table to predict the charges certain elements will have when they. Some ionic compounds have different numbers of cations and anions. All elements in the eighth period and beyond thus remain purely hypothetical. As of 2022, the element with the highest atomic number known is oganesson (Z 118), which completes the seventh period (row) in the periodic table. Starting with magnesium and oxygen atoms, use Lewis diagrams to show the formation of the ionic compound MgO. An extended periodic table theorises about chemical elements beyond those currently known in the periodic table and proven.

In representing the final formula, the dots are omitted. The transfer of electrons can be illustrated easily with Lewis diagrams: \( \newcommand\): Lewis Electron Dot Diagrams of the Elements Lithium through Neon A proton carries a positive charge (+) and an electron carries a negative charge (-), so the atoms of elements are neutral, all the positive charges.
