Just write + or - if the charge is 1+ or 1-. . The number of electrons in an atom may be changed by adding or subtracting electrons to form positive or negative ions of the element. The second table gives the same information for some common monoatomic anions.\r\n

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Some Common Monoatomic Cations
FamilyElementIon Name
IALithiumLithium cation
SodiumSodium cation
PotassiumPotassium cation
IIABerylliumBeryllium cation
MagnesiumMagnesium cation
CalciumCalcium cation
StrontiumStrontium cation
BariumBarium cation
IBSilverSilver cation
IIBZincZinc cation
IIIAAluminumAluminum cation
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Some Common Monoatomic Anions
FamilyElementIon Name
VANitrogenNitride anion
PhosphorusPhosphide anion
VIAOxygenOxide anion
SulfurSulfide anion
VIIAFluorineFluoride anion
ChlorineChloride anion
BromineBromide anion
IodineIodide anion
\r\nIts more difficult to determine the number of electrons that members of the transition metals (the B families) lose. You can often determine the charge an ion normally has by the elements position on the periodic table:\r\n