Electrolyte is a substance which is capable to dissociate of ions. Depending on extent of dissociation, electrolytes divide into strong and weak. Dissociation of electrolytes can take place in solutions, fusions and even in crystals of electrolyte.
Electrolytes
Electrolytes are called the substances capable to carry electric current due to own dissociation on ions. Dissociation happens in fusions and solutions, or in electrolytes - due to the movement of ions in their crystal lattices.
The most striking examples of electrolytes are solutions of salts, the bases and acids. In certain cases dissociation happens in crystals - for example, in case of dioxide of zirconium or iodide of silver.
Electrolytic dissociation
If disintegration on ions happens in solution or fusion, this process is called electrolytic dissociation. To dissociation there is also the return process when ions are associated back in molecules. If environmental conditions are invariable, in fusion or solution the balance is observed - some part of substance remains dissociated on ions, and some - associated in molecules.
Weak and strong electrolytes
Electrolytes can be divided into two groups, depending on their ability to dissociate. Carry substances at which extent of dissociation on ions makes 100% to strong electrolytes (that is equals to unit). Strong electrolytes are salts, the bases and many acids (salt, bromovodorodny, yodovodorodny, nitric). Weak electrolytes call the substances dissociating not completely. Extent of their dissociation always makes less than unit. At the same time, the concentration of such electrolytes in solution is higher, the extent of their dissociation is less. Water, some weak acids and the bases belongs to weak electrolytes. Between strong and weak electrolytes there is no clear boundary. So, one substance can show properties of strong electrolyte in one solution and properties weak - in another.
Properties of electrolytes
Electrolytes have a number of unique properties. If to place electrodes in solution of electrolyte with a different potential, then through solution the electric current will go. It is well-known that solutions of substances have more high temperature of boiling and lower temperature of freezing, than solvent. But solutions of electrolytes behave a little differently - in comparison with solutions of other substances, they have more high temperature of boiling and lower temperature of freezing. In other words, solution of electrolyte behaves as if it contains more molecules of substance, than actually.
Use of electrolytes
Thanks to the special properties, electrolytes find broad application in the industry. With their help emit metals, apply gilding, apply them in sources of current and at production of condensers.