Hello young chemist! Today, we're diving into the exciting world of Ionic Compounds, and the intriguing language we use to name them. By the end of these notes, you'll be able to identify and name ionic compounds like a pro. But first, let's understand what ionic compounds are.

Ionic compounds are like the superheroes of chemistry. They are formed when a metal (always ready to lose an electron and become positive) meets a non-metal (always eager to gain an electron and become negative).

Think of it as the classic romance between opposites, just like how magnets attract! The metal becomes a positive ion (or cation), and the non-metal becomes a negative ion (or anion). This "opposite" attraction is what forms the ionic bond, just like Spiderman (the metal) being attracted to Mary Jane (the non-metal)!