* Ionic Compounds: Formed by the electrostatic attraction between positively charged ions (cations) and negatively charged ions (anions).

* Calcium (Ca) is a metal and tends to lose two electrons to form a +2 cation (Ca²⁺).

* Chlorine (Cl) is a nonmetal and tends to gain one electron to form a -1 anion (Cl⁻).

* Molecular Compounds: Formed by the sharing of electrons between atoms. These are typically formed between nonmetals.

In CaCl₂, the calcium ion (Ca²⁺) and two chloride ions (Cl⁻) are held together by ionic bonds, not covalent bonds (sharing of electrons).