If a compound begins with a metal, it most likely is a compound metallic

molecular

covalent

ionic

-and why?

Metallic compound

Explanation:

Metallic compound -

A metallic compound refers to the species having at least one metal, is known  as a metallic compound.

In general a metallic compound consists of two ions, a positive ion or the cation, is is basically a metal, and,

a negative ion or an anion, which is a non - metal.

Hence, from the given statement of the question,

The correct answer is - metallic compound.  

since the atomic number is the number of protons in the nucleus, as we move to the left on the periodic table, the electrostatic pull between the nucleus and the valence electron shell decreases. as we move down a group (vertical column), the valence shell energy level gets further and further from the nucleus.