Science, Tech, Math › Science Table of Common Cations Share Flipboard Email Print Dorling Kindersley/Getty Images Science Chemistry Periodic Table Basics Chemical Laws Molecules Projects & Experiments Scientific Method Biochemistry Physical Chemistry Medical Chemistry Chemistry In Everyday Life Famous Chemists Activities for Kids Abbreviations & Acronyms Biology Physics Geology Astronomy Weather & Climate by Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D. Dr. Helmenstine holds a Ph.D. in biomedical sciences and is a science writer, educator, and consultant. She has taught science courses at the high school, college, and graduate levels. Updated May 05, 2019 Cations are ions which have a positive electrical charge. A cation has fewer electrons than protons. An ion may consist of a single atom of an element (a monatomic ion or monatomic cation or anion) or of several atoms that are bonded together (a polyatomic ion or polyatomic cation or anion). Because of their net electrical charge, cations are repelled by other cations and are attracted to anions.This is a table listing the name, formula, and charge of common cations. Alternate names are given for some cations. Table of Common CationsCation NameFormulaOther Name AluminumAl3+ AmmoniumNH4+ BariumBa2+ CalciumCa2+ Chromium(II)Cr2+Chromous Chromium(III)Cr3+Chromic Copper(I)Cu+Cuprous Copper(II)Cu2+Cupric Iron(II)Fe2+Ferrous Iron(III)Fe3+Ferric HydrogenH+ HydroniumH3O+Oxonium Lead(II)Pb2+ LithiumLi+ MagnesiumMg2+ Manganese(II)Mn2+Manganous Manganese(III)Mn3+Manganic Mercury(I)Hg22+Mercurous Mercury(II)Hg2+Mercuric NitroniumNO2+ PotassiumK+ SilverAg+ SodiumNa+ StrontiumSr2+ Tin(II)Sn2+Stannous Tin(IV)Sn4+Stannic ZincZn2+ Continue Reading