Final answer:
CH₄, or methane, is a molecular compound consisting of nonmetals where atoms share electrons through covalent bonds, differentiating it from ionic compounds that consist of metals and nonmetals forming ions.
Step-by-step explanation:
To classify the compound CH₄, we first need to understand the nature of its bonding. If a compound is ionic, it usually consists of both a metal and a nonmetal, where electrons are transferred from the metal to the nonmetal, creating ions. However, CH₄, methane, is composed entirely of nonmetals: carbon (C) and hydrogen (H). Since there are no metals to donate electrons and form ions, CH₄ cannot be an ionic compound.
Methane is an example of a molecular compound, where atoms share electrons through covalent bonds. Since it consists of multiple nonmetals sharing electrons, it fits the definition of a molecular compound. Moreover, methane is a small molecule consisting of one carbon atom bonded to four hydrogen atoms, confirming its molecular nature.