Consider how the electrons of the atoms are involved in both ionic and covalent compounds. Electrons are what take part in the bonding that forms the ionic and covalent compounds. In ionic bonds, there is a transfer of electrons from the element with the lower number of valence electrons, to the atom with the higher number of valence electrons. In covalent bonds, the electrons are not transferred.
Understand the charges of the atoms that compose the ionic and covalent compounds. Ionic compounds are composed of positive and negative ions. This produces compounds that generally do not have a net charge. Covalent compounds do not have to be composed of atoms with opposite charges. However, like ionic compounds, they also do not have a net charge.
Compare the types of atoms that are present within ionic and covalent bonds. Ionic compounds consist of metals and nonmetals. Covalent compounds are typically composed of nonmetals. The same elements that are involved in ionic bonding can also be involved in covalent bonding. For example, chlorine is present in the ionic compound sodium chloride and in the covalent compound hydrogen chloride.
Analyze whether or not the compound can conduct electricity. The ability to conduct electricity is a physical property. Both ionic compounds and covalent compounds cannot conduct electricity in the solid state.
Examine various chemical reactions and analyze the types of compounds that are involved in them. Both ionic and covalent compounds can be present within the same chemical reactions. For example, in hydrolysis, the separation of a compound by the addition of water, involves both types of compounds. Water is the covalent compound, and the compound being separated is the ionic compound.