An electrolyte, or conductor of electricity, can be an acid, base, or salt.

An electrolyte, or conductor of electricity, can be an acid, base, or salt.

• A. An acid only
• B. A base only
• C. An electrolyte can be an acid, base, or salt
• D. A salt only

Answer: (C)

An electrolyte is any substance that, when dissolved, produces ions and conducts electricity. That can include acids, bases, and salts because each form ions in solution. Acids release hydrogen ions (H+) in water (often as hydronium, H3O+), along with their conjugate bases. Bases release hydroxide ions (OH−) in water, along with their conjugate acids. Salts dissolve into cations and anions. All these ions carry charge and move under an electric field, enabling conduction of electricity in the solution. Examples help solidify the idea: hydrochloric acid in water becomes H3O+ and Cl−; sodium hydroxide becomes Na+ and OH−; sodium chloride becomes Na+ and Cl−. Some electrolytes are strong, ionizing or dissociating almost completely, while others are weak and only partially ionize (they still conduct, but to a lesser extent). Non-electrolytes, like sugar, do not form ions in solution and do not conduct electricity.

An electrolyte is any substance that, when dissolved, produces ions and conducts electricity. That can include acids, bases, and salts because each form ions in solution. Acids release hydrogen ions (H+) in water (often as hydronium, H3O+), along with their conjugate bases. Bases release hydroxide ions (OH−) in water, along with their conjugate acids. Salts dissolve into cations and anions. All these ions carry charge and move under an electric field, enabling conduction of electricity in the solution.

Examples help solidify the idea: hydrochloric acid in water becomes H3O+ and Cl−; sodium hydroxide becomes Na+ and OH−; sodium chloride becomes Na+ and Cl−. Some electrolytes are strong, ionizing or dissociating almost completely, while others are weak and only partially ionize (they still conduct, but to a lesser extent). Non-electrolytes, like sugar, do not form ions in solution and do not conduct electricity.