A compound that contains ions and is held together by ionic bonds

is called an ionic compound. The periodic table can help us recognize many of the compounds that are ionic: When a metal is combined with one or more nonmetals, the compound is usually ionic.

What makes a compound ionic?

Ionic compounds are compounds composed of ions, charged particles that form when an atom (or group of atoms) gains or loses electrons. (A cation is a positively charged ion; an anion is a negatively charged ion.) Covalent or molecular compounds form when elements share electrons in a covalent bond to form molecules.

How do you find whether a compound is ionic or covalent?

By definition, an ionic bond is between a metal and a nonmetal, and a covalent bond is between 2 nonmetals. So you usually just look at the periodic table and determine whether your compound is made of a metal/nonmetal or is just 2 nonmetals.