Definition:Electrolyte

Definition

An electrolyte is a liquid which is characterised by the fact that its molecules are easily ionized into positively charged and negatively charged ions.

These are free to move independently of each other, and hence move through the liquid under the influence of a potential difference.

This gives rise to an electric current.

Examples

Dilute Sulphuric Acid

Dilute sulphuric acid is an electrolyte.

The molecules of sulphuric acid separate into:

positive ions containing a hydrogen nucleus

negative sulphate ions.

Under the influence of a potential difference, a current flows that consists of:

the positive ions moving towards the negative charge

together with:

the negative sulphate ions moving towards the positive charge.

Also see

• Definition:Electrical Conductor

• Results about electrolytes can be found here.

Sources

• 1958: C.A. Coulson: Electricity (5th ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): Chapter $\text {I}$: Preliminary Survey: $\S 2$. Electric currents