Which of the following best describes an electrolyte?

• A. A substance that forms covalent bonds and remains neutral in solution.
• B. A substance that does not dissolve in water and does not conduct electricity.
• C. A substance that only conducts electricity in its solid state.
• D. A substance that produces ions when dissolved in water, allowing the solution to conduct electricity.

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the definition of an electrolyte: it is a substance that produces ions when dissolved in water, which allows the solution to conduct electricity.
2. Recognize that substances forming covalent bonds and remaining neutral in solution do not produce ions and therefore do not conduct electricity well.
3. Note that substances that do not dissolve in water cannot produce ions in solution, so they do not conduct electricity.
4. Recall that only substances that produce free-moving charged particles (ions) in solution can conduct electricity; solids generally do not conduct electricity unless they have free electrons or ions.
5. Conclude that the best description of an electrolyte is a substance that produces ions when dissolved in water, enabling the solution to conduct electricity.