“When the number of protons and electrons are given, it's easy to figure out the ionic charge. More often, you won't be given this information.
You can use the periodic table to predict many ions. The first group (alkali metals) usually have a +1 charge, the second group (alkaline earths) usually have a +2 charge, halogens usually have a -1 charge, and noble gases typically don't form ions. The metals form a wide variety of ions, usually with a positive charge.”
