Which would create more solute particles in a solution, ionic compounds or a covalent compound

This is a popular question because it is important. You have 2 Major kinds of substances, or compounds, ionic, and covalent. Covalent compounds usually do not "break apart" in solution, (in fact you have to try and find the right ones to do this), BUT, the IONIC compounds, like salts, held together by their opposite charges do tend to separate in solution.

Take NaCl, sodium chloride. Add waster, and you get Na + and Cl-. Now if we add methanol, a poisonous alcohol, it simply remains together as it is diluted in water. It is a Covalent compound, where all of the atoms of CH3OH share their electrons, which is very different than being held together by opposite charges.