Elements and ions
Every element has its own name and symbol. The names often show some of the history of the element, and is sometimes from Latin.
But don't forget: every language has its own, often old fashioned name for such an element (lead, tin, sodium, etc)
The symbol is always a capital, often (but not always!) accompanied by a small letter.
There is a table with all elements: table V
If atoms change into ions, they can become positive or negative.
If it concerns simple positive ions, the name remains unchanged, but we put Roman numbers: I, II etc.
to indicate the charge of the simple ion.
examples:
The ion of Copper can have the formula: Cu2+.
You write: ion Cu(II); the Iron(III)ion is the ion Fe3+
Talking about simple negative ions, we give the name of the element the suffix -ide.
a couple of examples: I- is the ion "Iodide", Cl- is the ion "Chloride".
CuI2 (built up of ions Cu2+ and Cl-, has the name: Copper(II)iodide.
Long time ago bicicles had a so called carbide lamp. A white substance, carbide, had to react with water. Thus a flamable gas was formed that they could lighten. That's how a lightning flame appeared.
Apart from simple ions, we also know the complex ions, made up of several atoms of the same or different elements.
These also can be positive and negative. You can find a table like table XI about the solubility of salts.
In that table we can see the symbols of all kind of ions.
Normally chemistry students should know these ions by heart!
Mind that the salts always are built up of negative and positive ions (and are neutral toghether).