Explanation:

* Ionic compounds consist of positively charged ions (cations) and negatively charged ions (anions) held together by electrostatic forces. When dissolved in water, the polar water molecules surround the ions, separating them and allowing them to move freely. This movement of charged particles (ions) creates an electric current, making the solution conductive.

* Covalent compounds are formed by the sharing of electrons between atoms. They do not form ions in solution, but rather remain as neutral molecules. Since there are no free-moving charged particles, covalent compounds generally do not conduct electricity in water.

Key Differences:

| Feature | Ionic Compounds | Covalent Compounds |

|---|---|---|

| Bonding | Electrostatic forces | Electron sharing |

| Dissolved species | Ions | Molecules |

| Conductivity | High | Low |

Examples:

* Ionic compound: Sodium chloride (NaCl) dissolves in water to form Na+ and Cl- ions, making the solution conductive.

* Covalent compound: Sugar (C12H22O11) dissolves in water but does not form ions, so the solution is not conductive.

Exceptions:

There are some exceptions to this general rule. Some covalent compounds, such as hydrochloric acid (HCl), can ionize in water and become conductive. However, in general, ionic compounds are significantly more conductive than covalent compounds in water.