Identify the elements involved in the compound CaBr_2: calcium (Ca) and bromine (Br).
Determine the type of elements: calcium is a metal, and bromine is a nonmetal.
Recall that compounds formed between metals and nonmetals are typically ionic compounds due to the transfer of electrons from metal to nonmetal.
Recognize that calcium, a metal, tends to lose electrons to form Ca^{2+} ions, while bromine, a nonmetal, tends to gain electrons to form Br^{-} ions.
Conclude that CaBr_2 is an ionic compound because it consists of positively charged calcium ions and negatively charged bromide ions held together by ionic bonds.