Sodium bicarbonate, also known as baking soda, is an ionic compound, not a covalent one. It is composed of sodium ions (Na⁺) and bicarbonate ions (HCO₃⁻).
In sodium bicarbonate, the sodium atom donates an electron to the bicarbonate ion, forming an ionic bond. This type of bond occurs when there is a transfer of electrons from one atom to another, resulting in the formation of positively and negatively charged ions that are held together by electrostatic forces.
On the other hand, covalent bonds involve the sharing of electrons between atoms, which is not the case in sodium bicarbonate. Therefore, sodium bicarbonate is classified as an ionic compound rather than a covalent one.