Gallium typically gains a charge of +3 when it forms an ion. This occurs because gallium, which is in group 13 of the periodic table, has three valence electrons. In order to achieve a stable electronic configuration, gallium often loses these three electrons when it reacts and forms cations.
When gallium loses its three electrons, it becomes Ga3+, a positively charged ion. This +3 charge is common for gallium in its compounds, particularly in gallium(III) oxide and other gallium salts, where it exhibits its typical oxidation state. Understanding the charge of gallium is crucial for predicting its chemical behavior and interactions in various applications, especially in electronics and materials science.