Electrolyte - GCSE Chemistry Definition

What is an electrolyte?

In GCSE chemistry, an electrolyte is an ionic compound which is able to conduct electricity when it is molten or aqueous (dissolved in water). An electrolyte can conduct electricity because the ions are free to move and carry a charge. 

During electrolysis, electricity is passed through the electrolyte, resulting in the ions moving to electrodes. Positively charged ions will move to the negative electrode (the cathode) and negatively charged ions will move to the positive electrode (the anode). Ions will be discharged at the electrode to produce the corresponding element. Electrolysis will not work with a solid ionic compound because the ions are unable to move.

For example, during the electrolysis of molten lead(II) bromide, lead(II) bromide is the electrolyte, consisting of positively charged lead ions, and negatively charged bromide ions. When electricity is passed through the electrolyte, the lead ions move to the cathode, and the bromide ions move to the anode. Lead ions will be discharged and form lead metal. Bromide ions will be discharged to form bromine.