A comparison of the properties of covalent and ionic compounds is presented below: Covalent compounds are formed by the mutual sharing electrons whereas ionic compounds are formed a complete transfer of elements.
An ionic (or electrovalent) bond is formed between two ions of opposite charges. During the formation of an ionic bond, one of the reacting elements should form a positively charged ion (cation), and the other should give a negatively charged ion (anion).
Some important characteristics of ionic (or electrovalent) compounds are :- Ionic (or electrovalent) compounds have relatively high density. In ionic compounds, the ions are closely packed. This decreases the volume of the system, and as a result density is high.
When there is a transfer of electrons from one atom to another either by gain or loss of electrons an ionic or electrovalent bond is formed. An ionic bond is a bond between ions with opposite charges.
For ionic compound, such as, sodium chloride, there is no discrete individual molecule. Instead, these are the aggregates represented by a formula of the type..