Electrolytes: Definition, Examples, & Practice

To tell if a substance is an electrolyte or non-electrolyte we first need to know what type of compound we have and if it will produce ions when dissolved in water.
-- Definition--
An electrolyte is: a substance that dissolves in water (or other polar solvent) to produce ions and a solution that conducts electricity.
---- Classifying Electrolytes ----
- Strong Electrolyte: completely dissociate in solution and conducts electricity. Soluble ionic compounds and strong acids are electrolytes.
- Weak Electrolyte: partially dissociate in solution and poorly conduct electricity.
- Non-Electrolytes: do not dissociate into ions and do not conduct electricity. Most molecular compounds are non-electrolytes.
---- More Definitions ----
- Strong Electrolyte: completely dissociate in solution and conducts electricity. Soluble ionic compounds and strong acids are electrolytes.
- Weak Electrolyte: partially dissociate in solution and poorly conduct electricity.
- Non-Electrolytes: do not dissociate into ions and do not conduct electricity. Most molecular compounds are non-electrolytes.
---- Helpful Resources ----
Metals, Non-Metals on the Periodic Table: • Metals, Nonmetals, and...
Ionic, Covalent, & Polar Covalent: • Polar, Non-Polar, and ...
Solubility Table: • How to Use the Solubil... )
Solubility Rules: • Solubility Rules: Exp...
Sports drinks, like Gatorade or Powerade, consist of primarily Potassium and Sodium electrolytes to provide hydration due to sweating. Other important electrolytes are chloride , calcium, magnesium, and phosphate. Drinks containing electrolytes are also used extensively in medicine for oral rehydration.
More chemistry at www.breslyn.org .

[@panaiworth6593]

So helpful...Dr. B you're an amazing teacher

[@manaral-shafii1315]

Thank you very much is the best video explaining electrolytes

[@rssl5500]

I’m gonna ask a question I Don’t know if you’ll answer or not but it’s worth a shot
Is KOH>C2H2O4(oxalic acid)>NaCl>C12H22O11 true?
In terms of electrical conductivity of their solutions in water ? Or in general ?

[@alevadid]

Needed to brush my memory from about 20 years ago and this was vert helpful!

[@sladewilson649]

Me too , not 20 haha but like 10

[@karmaisreal6284]

Why does acetic acid count as a weak acid if it's comprised of all nonmetals? Is it just an exception to the rule?

[@ZaidShaheer-by4ft]

Amazing thank you sir .Please upload lectures on oxidation and reduction .

[@wbreslyn]

Glad you asked. I just made this a few months ago!
www.breslyn.org/redox/

[@pixiraa1688]

Why do strong bases dissolve in water/polar solvents? I thought like dissolves like when it comes to polarity

[@mohammed90158]

Thanks for the demonstration 👌👌

[@vickyChauhan4501]

Basic chamistry ka ye 4unit hai

[@jayslex]

Really usefull thanks!

[@sain.9867]

Great Video!

[@wbreslyn]

Thanks!

[@vickyChauhan4501]

इसी विषय पर कुछ और विडियो बनाओ सर

[@Landrew_1]

thank you

[@wbreslyn]

No problem!

[@dafnexoxo.]

wouldn't H3Po4 be a non electrolyte because it classifies as a covalent compound?

[@wbreslyn]

It's a weak acid (some of the Hydrogen atoms dissociation) so that makes it a weak electrolyte.

[@MTRfundamentalist]

8:29 You said NH4, but it's actually NH3. NH4 does not exist as a neutrally charged compound.

[@wbreslyn]

I'll go back and add a note!

[@TheMomLifee]

Dr. B, do you have the strong acids table for download? Thanks

[@wbreslyn]

I don't have the exact table but this page has a list of strong acids and bases:
chem.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/General_Chemistry/Map%3A_General_Chemistry_(Petrucci_et_al.)/16%3A_Acids_and_Bases/16.4%3A_Strong_Acids_and_Strong_Bases

[@glebs1823]

There is a simple rule to determine if the acid is strong or weak without memorising the whole list of them

[@env_3809]

@@glebs1823What is it sir ?

[@MTRfundamentalist]

6:51 You said CH4, but you put C4H10 there. Anyway, both CH4 and C4H10 are non-electrolytes.

[@vickyChauhan4501]

मै dmlt करता हूं हरियाणा से