What is an electrolyte ? How are electrolytes classified ?

Options

A. gives complex ions in solution
B. dissolves in water to give ions
C. is ionised in the solid state
D. generates ions on passing electric current

Explanation

### Step-by-Step Solution:

**Step 1: Define Electrolyte**
An electrolyte is a substance that, when dissolved in water, dissociates into ions. These ions can be either cations (positively charged ions) or anions (negatively charged ions).

**Step 2: Classification of Electrolytes**
Electrolytes can be classified into two main categories: strong electrolytes and weak electrolytes.

**Step 3: Strong Electrolytes**
Strong electrolytes are substances that completely ionize in solution. This means that 100% of the electrolyte dissociates into its constituent ions when dissolved in water.

**Step 4: Examples of Strong Electrolytes**
Strong electrolytes can be further classified into:
- **Strong Acids**: Examples include hydrochloric acid (HCl), hydrobromic acid (HBr), hydroiodic acid (HI), and nitric acid (HNO3).
- **Strong Bases**: Examples include sodium hydroxide (NaOH), potassium hydroxide (KOH), and calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2).
- **Salts**: Examples include sodium chloride (NaCl), potassium bromide (KBr), and magnesium chloride (MgCl2).

**Step 5: Weak Electrolytes**
Weak electrolytes are substances that only partially ionize in solution. This means that only a fraction of the electrolyte dissociates into ions when dissolved in water.

**Step 6: Examples of Weak Electrolytes**
Weak electrolytes can be classified into:
- **Weak Acids**: Examples include hydrofluoric acid (HF), acetic acid (CH3COOH), and carbonic acid (H2CO3).
- **Weak Bases**: Examples include ammonia (NH3) and pyridine (C5H5N).

### Summary
In summary, electrolytes are substances that dissolve in water to produce ions. They are classified into strong electrolytes, which completely ionize, and weak electrolytes, which only partially ionize. Strong electrolytes include strong acids, strong bases, and salts, while weak electrolytes include weak acids and weak bases.

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