Electrolytes are compounds that conduct electricity in water-based solutions. Ionic compounds are chemical compounds in which ions are held together in a lattice structure by ionic bonds. These ionic compounds are generally solids with high melting points and conduct electrical current. Electrolytes are divided into three substances: Acids, Bases, and Salts. Not all electrolytes conduct electricity with the same degree. Nonelectrolytes are compounds that do not conduct electric currents in water based solution. Most molecular (covalent) compounds are nonelectrolytes. They are non electrolytes because they are nonionic, which means there are no positively and negatively charged ions in solution to conduct the electrical charges. A simple apparatus can be use in determining the relative conductivity of several solutions.

In this activity, you should be able to
1. define electrolytes, strong electrolytes, weak electrolytes and non-electrolytes,
2. classify substances as strong electrolytes, weak electrolytes and non-electrolytes and;
3. relate the importance of electrolyte balance in the body.

50 mL of the following solutions/samples in a party cup:
sugar
salt
vinegar
muriatic acid
soap
rubbing alcohol
monosodium glutamate (MSG)
distilled water

1. Dip the electrode of the apparatus in the distilled water
2. Observe what will happen to the bulb.
3. Record your observation and fill in table below
4. Repeat procedure 1-3, instead of distilled water, use the following:

Bulb
(bright light, dim light,
no light up)

Major composition of
particles
(ions or molecules)

Classification
(strong electrolytes,
weak electrolytes and
non-electrolyte)

1. Distilled Water
2. Sugar solution
3. Salt solution
4. Vinegar
5. Muriatic acid
6. Soap solution
7. Rubbing alcohol
8. MSG solution