Electrolyte

Description

An ionic substance that can conduct electricity. Most often active when dissolved in water, examples of electrolytes include acids (sulfuric acid), bases (sodium hydroxide), and salts (sodium chloride). Electrolytes must be present for current transfer in electrochemical reactions such as electrolysis and electroplating.

Authority

• Richard S. Lewis, Hawley's Condensed Chemical Dictionary, Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, 10th ed., 1993

• The American Heritage Dictionary or Encarta, via Microsoft Bookshelf 98, Microsoft Corp., 1998

• Encyclopedia Britannica, http://www.britannica.com Comment: "Electrolyte." Encyclopædia Britannica. 19 Aug. 2004 .