An electrolyte is a substance that can conduct electricity when dissolved in water. Electrolytes are typically ionic compounds, such as sodium chloride (NaCl) or potassium sulfate (K2SO4). When these compounds dissolve in water, they dissociate into their constituent ions, which are free to move around and conduct electricity.

Sugar (sucrose) is a covalent compound, which means that its atoms are held together by covalent bonds, not ionic bonds. Covalent compounds do not dissociate into ions when they dissolve in water, so they are not electrolytes. Sugar water is therefore a nonelectrolyte.

Here's a table summarizing the key differences between electrolytes and nonelectrolytes:

| Property | Electrolyte | Nonelectrolyte |

|---|---|---|

| Composition | Ionic compound | Covalent compound |

| Solubility in water | Dissociates into ions | Does not dissociate into ions |

| Electrical conductivity | Conducts electricity | Does not conduct electricity |

| Examples | Sodium chloride (NaCl), potassium sulfate (K2SO4) | Sugar (sucrose), ethanol (C2H5OH) |