Final answer:
Covalent electrolytes generate ions when energy is added, causing some covalent compounds to ionize. Unlike ionic bond formation where electrons are transferred, a covalent bond involves shared electrons and usually does not lead to electrical conductivity without added energy.
Step-by-step explanation:
Covalent electrolytes generate ions via a process where molecules are ionized primarily through the addition and removal of energy, rather than the outright transfer of electrons as with ionic bonds. In a covalent bond, atoms share electrons to achieve a full valence shell, forming molecules like H₂. However, these compounds generally do not produce ions and conduct electricity in their solid or molecular forms due to the lack of free charges. Only upon the introduction of energy, such as heat or light, can some covalent compounds ionize and potentially conduct electricity, typically to a much lesser extent than ionic compounds.
Unlike ionic bonds, which are formed by the transfer of electrons from one atom to another, resulting in the formation of positively charged cations and negatively charged anions, covalent bonds result from the mutual sharing of electrons between nonmetallic atoms with similar electronegativities. This difference fundamentally affects how these compounds interact with energy and the likelihood of them becoming electrolytes capable of conducting electricity.
It is important to note that in solutions or when melted, ionic compounds such as NaCl separate into individual ions which allow them to conduct electricity well as compared to covalent compounds that do not dissociate in such a manner.