* Ionic compounds are formed by the electrostatic attraction between positively charged ions (cations) and negatively charged ions (anions).

* Sodium (Na) is a metal and tends to lose one electron to form a positively charged ion (Na⁺).

* Chlorate (ClO₃⁻) is a polyatomic ion with a negative charge.

Therefore, sodium chlorate is formed by the ionic bond between the sodium cation (Na⁺) and the chlorate anion (ClO₃⁻).