An electrolyte is a substance that produces an electrically conducting solution when dissolved in a polar solvent, such as water. The dissolved electrolyte separates into cations and anions, which disperse uniformly through the solvent. Electrically conductive solutions are called electrolytes, while non-conducting solutions are called nonelectrolytes.

The term “electrolyte” refers to both the dissolved ionic compound and the solution it forms. When an ionic compound dissolves in water, it breaks up into its component ions: positive cations (metal atoms) and negative anions (nonmetal atoms). These ions are surrounded by water molecules, but they are not attached to them; they float freely throughout the solution. The concentration of these ions is what determines whether a given solution is classified as concentrated or dilute.

In general, strong acids and bases dissociate completely into their component ions in water; weak acids and bases only partially dissociate. When all of the acid or base has been converted to its component ions, we say that the solution has reached equilibrium . At this point, there can be no further change in concentration because there are no more molecules of acid or base present to dissociate.