Common Ions
on the Periodic Table

Learn which elements commonly form monatomic ions, then practice first with the periodic table and finally from memory.

Click a highlighted element. Gray elements are shown for position but are not included in this common-ion set.

elements in this set

Group 1 Group 2 Main-group cation Nonmetal anion Selected transition metal Post-transition metal
Na

Sodium

Atomic number 11

Neutral atom: [Ne] 3s¹

Common ion
Na⁺
IonEnglish nameElectron configuration
Pattern to remember

Group 1 metals lose one valence electron and usually form +1 ions.

Practice 1

The periodic table stays visible. The current element is outlined.

Questions per round

Practice 2

No periodic table. Recall the common ion directly from the element name and symbol.

Questions per round