Question

Define the term electrolyte.

Answer 1

Electrolyte is a substance that dissociates into ions in aqueous solution or in the molten state and gives cations and anions.

(1) These ions are free are to move and responsible for the electric conductivity by passing the electric current through the solution.

(2) For example,$\mathrm{NaCl}$ (Sodium chloride) dissociates into ${\mathrm{Na}}^{+}$ and ${\mathrm{Cl}}^{-}$ ions in aqueous solution.

$$\begin{gathered} \mathrm{NaCl}\left(\mathrm{s}\right)\stackrel{{\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}}{\to }{\mathrm{Na}}^{+}\left(\mathrm{aq}\right)+{\mathrm{Cl}}^{-}\left(\mathrm{aq}\right) \\ (\mathrm{sodium}(\mathrm{cation})(\mathrm{anion}\left) \\ \mathrm{chloride}\right) \end{gathered}$$