All About Electrolytes and Non-Electrolytes

Electrolytes are those who conduct electric current and this type of behaviour is present inside our body also. Our body cells also contain electrolytes inside them and due to these electrolytes, and that’s how our body functions. They help to send signals to the brain and keep your mind up to date about your body conditions. 

Electrolytes :

A compound, when placed in an aqueous solution or molten state, conducts an electric current known as Electrolytes.

Some examples of electrolytes are :-a) Ionic compounds as when ionic compounds dissolve they break and create ions. These ions can conduct electricity or current.

b) Insoluble ionic compounds like CaCO3 can conduct electricity when in the molten state so can be known as electrolytes.

Use of Electrolytes in Electrochemical cells:

3 basic types of electrochemical cells are :-

1. Electrolytic cell
2. Galvanic cell
3. Concentration cell.

Electrolytic cells :

• As we know electrolyte is used as a current-carrying medium between anode and cathode.
• When electrolytes come in contact with an anode, as we know anode is a metal, it conducts electric current. corrosion may take place due to the presence of chemicals in the electrolytes. 
• The cathode has protection against corrosion and is a metal that contacts the electrolyte.
• The conductor is the connection between anode and cathode and completes the circuit.

Electrolyte Movement:

When a cell dies its contents inside the cell come outside the cell and break the electrostatic balance. In plasma, intracellular components are found in this case and also electrolytes are directed in a specific compartment as an imbalance occurs they move to create a balance.

Why are electrolytes important?

• Electrolytes are used to regulate the nervous system and help to support muscle function.
• These are used to establish a communication between nerves and brains by transmitting nerve signals (nerve signalling) to your brain and that is the reason your brain is contacting your nerves at the very moment of a second.
• This also allows the heart to pump blood from the heart to every part of the body.
• It maintains fluid balance inside your body.
• It keeps you hydrated and maintains the body’s pH levels.

Roles of Electrolytes in our body:

There are many electrolytes present everywhere all ionic compounds and inside some Insoluble compounds are considered as electrolytes and there are several electrolytes that play a very important role inside our body that are;

1. Calcium(Ca): Very important for teeth, muscle contraction, blood clotting, nerve function etc.
2. Sodium(Na): It is present inside our cell and maintains water balance and nerve signalling etc.
3. Potassium(K): Important for bones and cells, muscles, bone, nervous system, and somehow takes part in many biochemical reactions.

Non-electrolytes:

A compound, when placed in an aqueous solution or molten state, doesn’t conduct an electric current known as Non-Electrolytes.

Some examples of non-electrolytes are sugar, ethanol as when these compounds are dissolved in water doesn’t produce ions so these are non-electrolytes.

The best example for non-electrolyte is distilled water as water doesn’t have minerals it doesn’t have ions and no conduction of electricity occurs.

Non-electrolytes usually do not form ions when placed in an aqueous solution or molten state instead they dissolve in a solution and do not conduct electricity as they didn’t form ions.

Difference between the electrolyte and non-electrolytes:

• A compound, when placed in an aqueous solution or molten state, conducts an electric current known as Electrolytes. While a compound, when placed in an aqueous solution or molten state, doesn’t conduct an electric current known as Non-Electrolytes.

• In an electrolyte, ionic bonds are present. But in the case of Non-electrolytes covalent bonds are present.
• Electrolytes break into ions while none electrolytes do not break apart to form ions.
• Non-electrolytes retain their molecular structure while electrolytes break into anions and actions.
• Electrolytes conduct electricity because it has electrons while non-electrolytes don’t conduct electricity as it doesn’t have electrons.
• Electrolytes are conductors while non-electrolytes are insulators.
• Non-electrolytes are of two types water-soluble and water-insoluble while electrolytes are of two types weak and strong electrolytes.
• Electrolytes are having polarity so polar compounds and non-electrolytes are not having polarity so nonpolar compounds.
• Electrolytes example is saltwater and none electrolytes example is sugar water.

Conclusion:

Both electrolytes and non-electrolytes play a very important role inside and outside our body also. Due to the electrolytes, our body is well functional. They play a very important role in our body and help our body to maintain communication between nerves and the brain.