In terms of ion charge, we notice that the charge of elements increases by one as you move from left to right. For example, Sodium, Na, has a plus 1+ charge in solution and Calcium, Ca, has a 2+ charge. On the opposite side of the table, the elements are more likely to gain and electron and have a negative charge than lose an electron and have a positive charge in solution, so starting from the noble gases and moving towards the center, the elements tend to gain a negative charge for each column. The halides, which include Chlorine, Fluorine, Bromine and Iodine all tend to have a 1- charge, while Oxygen has a 2- and nitrogen, a 3-. The transition metals in the middle of the table tend to form positive charges of different values, known as oxidation states. These do not necessarily follow left to right trend. Solution In terms of ion charge, we notice that the charge of elements increases by one as you move from left to right. For example, Sodium, Na, has a plus 1+ charge in solution and Calcium, Ca, has a 2+ charge. On the opposite side of the table, the elements are more likely to gain and electron and have a negative charge than lose an electron and have a positive charge in solution, so starting from the noble gases and moving towards the center, the elements tend to gain a negative charge for each column. The halides, which include Chlorine, Fluorine, Bromine and Iodine all tend to have a 1- charge, while Oxygen has a 2- and nitrogen, a 3-. The transition metals in the middle of the table tend to form positive charges of different values, known as oxidation states. These do not necessarily follow left to right trend..