[Charismaztex]

Hi all,

I have a quick question regarding the expression of charge. In different contexts, sometimes I see 1+ and +1 and I wonder if there an important difference between the two. This may seem like a trivial case, but I would like to understand fully the difference, if any, and I would like to be consistent in my writings of chemistry.

Thanks,
Charismaztex

[Schrödinger]

I don't think there is any difference.

But I prefer 1+ over +1. It sounds better. 

Fe²⁺ is any day better than Fe⁺². I mean, it just sounds more elegant.

[AWK]

In chemistry
+1 (+2, +3 etc.) means oxidation number
+ alone or 1+ (2+, 3+ etc.) means charge of cation

[Charismaztex]

@

In chemistry
+1 (+2, +3 etc.) means oxidation number
+ alone or 1+ (2+, 3+ etc.) means charge of cation

Thanks!

[chenbot]

lol I must be weird then because I do it like:

Fe⁺ Fe⁺⁺ and Fe³⁺

and C₂H₃O₂^- CO₃^-- and PO₄^3-