Final answer:
An electrolyte separates into cations and anions, which disperse uniformly throughout a polar solvent such as water, enabling the solution to conduct electricity. They can be strong electrolytes that fully dissociate into ions or weak electrolytes based on the ionization extent.
Step-by-step explanation:
An electrolyte is a substance that produces an electrically conducting solution when dissolved in a polar solvent such as water. The dissolved electrolyte separates into cations and anions, which disperse uniformly throughout the solvent. This process includes several steps:
- Dissociation: Ionic compounds separate into smaller ions, usually in a reversible manner, when dissolved.
- Dissolution: Ionic crystals break up into ions in water.
- Hydration: Water molecules surround the ions.
These ions are responsible for the ability of the solution to conduct an electric current, referred to as conductivity. Electrolytes can be classified into strong electrolytes, which dissociate completely in water, or weak electrolytes, based on the extent of their ionization in solution.
Nonelectrolytes do not conduct an electric current as they do not contain free ions. Factors that affect the solution's conductivity include the type of substance, the concentration of ions, and the temperature of the solution.