So,
Ionic compounds tend to be soluble or dissolve in water because water is a polar compound that can exert enough force to overcome the ionic bond and cause the ions to go into solution. In general covalent compounds are less soluble in water. The tendency of compounds to dissociate or ionize in water tells a great deal about the way in which bonds hold the compound itself together. Covalent compounds aren't usually very soluble in water.
When ionic compounds dissolve in water they go through a process called dissociation, splitting into the ions that make them up. However, when you place covalent compounds in water, they typically do not dissolve but form a layer on top of the water.
