Electrolytes conduct electricity.

Study for the Georgia High School Physical Science Test. Prepare with flashcards and multiple-choice questions, detailed hints and explanations included. Get ready for your exam!

Multiple Choice

Electrolytes conduct electricity.

Explanation:
Electrical conduction in electrolytes happens because they dissociate into ions when dissolved in water or melted. These ions are charged particles that can move in an electric field. When a voltage is applied across the solution, positive ions (cations) move toward the negative electrode and negative ions (anions) move toward the positive electrode, creating a current through the liquid. This ion movement is what carries charge inside the solution. In contrast, insulators have no freely moving charges, metals conduct mainly through a sea of free electrons, and semiconductors conduct depending on temperature and impurities. So electrolytes are the substances that readily show this ionic conduction.

Electrical conduction in electrolytes happens because they dissociate into ions when dissolved in water or melted. These ions are charged particles that can move in an electric field. When a voltage is applied across the solution, positive ions (cations) move toward the negative electrode and negative ions (anions) move toward the positive electrode, creating a current through the liquid. This ion movement is what carries charge inside the solution. In contrast, insulators have no freely moving charges, metals conduct mainly through a sea of free electrons, and semiconductors conduct depending on temperature and impurities. So electrolytes are the substances that readily show this ionic conduction.

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