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. Chemistry Expert Ph.D., Biomedical Sciences, University of Tennessee at Knoxville B.A., Physics and Mathematics, Hastings College 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. our editorial process Facebook Facebook Twitter Twitter Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D. Updated November 04, 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 Cations Cation Name Formula Other Name Aluminum Al3+ Ammonium NH4+ Barium Ba2+ Calcium Ca2+ Chromium(II) Cr2+ Chromous Chromium(III) Cr3+ Chromic Copper(I) Cu+ Cuprous Copper(II) Cu2+ Cupric Iron(II) Fe2+ Ferrous Iron(III) Fe3+ Ferric Hydrogen H+ Hydronium H3O+ Oxonium Lead(II) Pb2+ Lithium Li+ Magnesium Mg2+ Manganese(II) Mn2+ Manganous Manganese(III) Mn3+ Manganic Mercury(I) Hg22+ Mercurous Mercury(II) Hg2+ Mercuric Nitronium NO2+ Potassium K+ Silver Ag+ Sodium Na+ Strontium Sr2+ Tin(II) Sn2+ Stannous Tin(IV) Sn4+ Stannic Zinc Zn2+