Ions in aqueous solutions
An electrolyte forms mobile ions when dissolved in water or melted, so the liquid conducts electric current. Acids, bases, and many salts are electrolytes. A nonelectrolyte may dissolve as neutral molecules and does not produce enough mobile ions to conduct appreciably.
Electrolytic dissociation
Water molecules are polar. Their partially charged ends attract ions in an ionic crystal, separate them, and surround them by hydration shells. For example: NaCl(aq) → Na⁺(aq) + Cl⁻(aq). Molecular acids can ionize by reacting with water; HCl transfers a proton to water and forms H₃O⁺ and Cl⁻.