A substance that dissolves in water to give a solution that conducts electric current.

A substance that dissolves in water to give a solution that conducts electric current.

• A. Electrolyte
• B. Nonelectrolyte
• C. Solute
• D. Suspension

Answer: (A)

Electric current in an aqueous solution is carried by mobile ions. When a substance dissolves and forms these ions in water, the solution conducts electricity, so such substances are electrolytes. For example, dissolving table salt yields Na+ and Cl− ions that move and carry charge. In contrast, nonelectrolytes dissolve as whole molecules and don’t produce ions, so their solutions conduct electricity poorly. A suspension isn’t a true solution and won’t reliably conduct electricity unless its particles release ions. Therefore, the description fits an electrolyte.

Electric current in an aqueous solution is carried by mobile ions. When a substance dissolves and forms these ions in water, the solution conducts electricity, so such substances are electrolytes. For example, dissolving table salt yields Na+ and Cl− ions that move and carry charge. In contrast, nonelectrolytes dissolve as whole molecules and don’t produce ions, so their solutions conduct electricity poorly. A suspension isn’t a true solution and won’t reliably conduct electricity unless its particles release ions. Therefore, the description fits an electrolyte.