Question

Which amongst the following is true about electrolytes?

• A. Electrolytes are always aqueous solution.
• B. Electrolytes are made of strong acids and bases.
• C. An electrolyte always needs to be ionic in nature.
• D. An electrochemical cell always needs an electrolyte.

Answer 1

The correct option is D An electrochemical cell always needs an electrolyte.

$\bullet$ All electrolytes are not necessarily aqueous solutions. Electrolytes can also be in molten or fused form.
$\bullet$ Electrolytes are not always made of strong acids and bases. They can be made of weak acids and bases too. These electrolytes are examples of weak electrolytes.
$\bullet$ Although ionic compounds are strong electrolytes, it is also possible to have polar-covalently bonded electrolytes which would typically be weak electrolytes.
However, an electrolyte must always be present in any type of electrochemical cell as it without which the cell wouldn't function without any charge carriers like ions.