Electrolyte

An electrolyte is a substance which dissociates free ions when dissolved (or molten), to produce an electrically conductive medium. Because they generally consist of ions in solution, electrolytes are also known as ionic solutes. They are sometimes referred to in abbreviated jargon as lytes.

Related Topics:
Ion - Dissolve - Molten - Electrically conductive - Jargon

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Electrolytes generally exist as acids, bases or salts.

Related Topics:
Acid - Base - Salt

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An electrolyte may be described as concentrated if it has a high concentration of ions; or dilute, a low concentration of ions. If a high proportion of the dissolved solute dissociates to form free ions, the solution is strong; if most of the dissolved solute does not dissociate, the solution is weak.

Related Topics:
Concentration - Solute

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The properties of electrolytes may be exploited via electrolysis to extract constituent elements and compounds contained within the solution.

Related Topics:
Electrolysis - Elements - Compounds

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