ACS Chemistry Practice Exam 2025 – The All-in-One Guide to Exam Success!

The correct answer identifies a substance that dissociates into ions when it is dissolved in a solvent, creating an ionic solution capable of conducting electricity. Electrolytes are typically ionic compounds or acids and bases that, when dissolved in water or another solvent, separate into their constituent ions. This ionization process is essential for various chemical reactions and is critical in biological systems where electrolytes play a key role in functions like nerve conduction and muscle contraction.

In contrast, a solute refers to any substance that is dissolved in a solvent but does not inherently imply that it produces ions; many solutes, like sugar, do not dissociate into ions. A solvent is typically the medium (e.g., water) that dissolves the solute and again does not produce ions itself; rather, it serves as the environment in which the solute may or may not ionize. The confusion in options arises mainly from the repeated mention of solvents, which emphasizes their role in the solution process but does not contribute to ionization. Thus, the clarity in identifying electrolytes as the substances that generate ions is crucial in this context.