* Metals and Nonmetals: Lead (Pb) is a metal, and oxygen (O) and hydrogen (H) are nonmetals. Ionic compounds typically form between metals and nonmetals.

* Electrostatic Attraction: Lead loses electrons to form a positively charged ion (Pb²⁺), while the hydroxide group (OH⁻) gains electrons to form a negatively charged ion. These oppositely charged ions are held together by electrostatic attraction, forming the ionic bond.

Key takeaway: While the hydroxide group (OH⁻) itself has covalent bonds within it (between oxygen and hydrogen), the overall compound Pb(OH)₂ is held together by ionic bonds.