Electrolyte
Definition
An electrolyte is a substance that produces an electrically conducting solution when dissolved in a polar solvent, such as water.
Analogy
Think of an electrolyte like the salt you put on icy roads. The salt (electrolyte) dissolves into the ice (polar solvent), breaking it down and allowing for better conductivity - or in this case, safer driving conditions.
Related terms
Ionic Compound: A compound composed of positive and negative ions that are combined so that the numbers of positive and negative charges are equal.
Solvent: A substance, usually a liquid, capable of dissolving another substance.
Solution: A homogeneous mixture composed of two or more substances. In such a mixture, a solute is dissolved in another substance, known as a solvent.
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