Question

What is an electrolyte

Answer 1

Electrolyte

• A compound which, either in the aqueous solution or in the molten state, dissociates into its constituent ions and hence allows an electric current to pass through it and decomposes into neutral atoms at the two electrodes.
• Electrolytes consist of ions. current passes through electrolytes because of the presence of ions in them.
• Electrolytes are ionic compounds in which the positive and the negative ions are held together by a strong coulombic or electrostatic force of attraction
• It can be a polar covalent compound. for example,$\mathrm{HCl}$
• They are non-conductors in the solid state.
• They are dissociable ions either in a molten state or in the aqueous solution.
• Electrolytes are of two types based on their conductivity and ability to dissociate into ions such as strong electrolytes and weak electrolytes
• Examples of electrolytes:

Acids ${\mathrm{H}}_2{\mathrm{SO}}_4,{\mathrm{HNO}}_3,{\mathrm{H}}_3{\mathrm{PO}}_4,\mathrm{HCl}$

Bases $\mathrm{NaOH},\mathrm{KOH},{\mathrm{NH}}_4\mathrm{OH},\mathrm{Ca}{\left(\mathrm{OH}\right)}_2$

Ionic salts $\mathrm{NaCl},{\mathrm{CuSO}}_4,{\mathrm{KNO}}_3,{\mathrm{PbBr}}_2$