Final answer:
Ionic compounds are named using the formula unit and by following conventions such as writing the cation first, followed by the anion.
Step-by-step explanation:
Ionic compounds are named using the formula unit and by following some important conventions. First, the name of the cation is written first followed by the name of the anion. Because most metals form cations and most nonmetals form anions, formulas typically list the metal first and then the nonmetal. Second, charges are not included in the name (or the formula). Remember that in an ionic compound, the component species are ions, not neutral atoms, even though the formula does not contain charges. The proper formula for an ionic compound will show how many of each ion is needed to balance the total positive and negative charges; the name does not need to include indication of this ratio.