Electrolytes are compounds that dissociate into ions when dissolved in water. Because they dissociate into ions in water, solutions of electrolytes conduct electricity. Strong electrolytes are compounds that dissociate completely in water, such as NaCl, HCl, and NaOH.

Weak electrolytes, such as ammonia and acetic acid, dissociate incompletely and are poor conductors.

Non-electrolytes do not dissociate in water, so solutions of these compounds do not conduct electricity.