Sulfuric acid, H₂SO₄, is an ionic compound. It is composed of positively charged hydrogen ions, H⁺, and negatively charged sulfate ions, SO₄²⁻. These ions are held together by strong electrostatic forces, forming an ionic bond. In contrast, molecular compounds are composed of molecules that are held together by covalent bonds, which involve the sharing of electrons between atoms. Examples of molecular compounds include methane, CH₄, and water, H₂O.