This document discusses ionic compounds and their formation. It defines ions as atoms or groups of atoms with a net electrical charge formed through gaining or losing electrons. Cations are positively charged ions like Na+ and Fe2+, while anions are negatively charged like Cl- and NO3-. Ionic compounds are composed of cations and anions held together by ionic bonds due to electrostatic attraction between opposite charges. For an ionic compound to be electrically neutral, it must contain an equal number of cations and anions. Examples of common ionic compounds are given such as NaCl, KCl, MgO, and CuSO4. The attraction between cations and anions in an ionic compound is called the ion