Electrolyte

Electrolyte, pronounced ih LEHK truh lyt, is a substance that conducts electricity. Most electrolytes must be dissolved in water or some other solvent. A battery contains an electrolyte in either a liquid or a pasty solution. Liquid electrolytes are used in electrolysis, electroplating, and other chemical processes.

When an electrolyte dissolves, it releases positive and negative ions (electrically charged atoms or groups of atoms). These released ions carry electric charges between electrodes immersed in the solution. Cations carry positive electric charges toward the cathode (negative electrode). Anions carry negative electric charges toward the anode (positive electrode).

Strong electrolytes release many ions and conduct electricity well. These electrolytes include strong acids and bases, and most salts. Weak electrolytes, such as acetic acid, release few ions and conduct poorly. Nonelectrolytes, such as sugar, release no ions and form nonconducting solutions.

A few electrolytes conduct electricity as solids. In these solid electrolytes, the ions can move and carry charges without adding a solvent.

Contributor: Allen J. Bard, Ph.D., Prof. of Chemistry, Univ. of Texas at Austin.

Electrolyte

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