When asked to classify sodium acetate (NaCH3 COO) as either an ionic or covalent compound, a student responded with, "Sodium acetate is both ionic and covalent." Explain why the student gave this answer.

Sodium acetate contains both ionic and covalent bonds. In sodium acetate, there is ionic bond between sodium and acetate ions and there is covalent bond in the atoms that are bondeed to the carbon atoms. Hope this answers the question.