What are the steps in naming and determining the formula of ionic compounds?

If you have to write the chemical formula of a simple, binary ionic compound given the name of the compound, you follow a set of three steps. Let's go through them using magnesium chloride as an example. Write the symbols for the cation and the anion: Mg and Cl. Determine the charge on the cation and anion.

Spontaneity tell us the direction of the reaction, but not how fast it goes. gibbs free energy brings together enthalpy, entropy and temperature in one easy formula. g = h - ts. and, finally the sign of delta g is always negative for a spontaneous reaction.