* Dissolved Ions: When salt (NaCl) dissolves in water, it breaks down into positively charged sodium ions (Na+) and negatively charged chloride ions (Cl-). These ions are free to move throughout the solution.

* Charge Carriers: The movement of these ions allows for the flow of electric current. When a voltage is applied, the positive ions move towards the negative terminal and the negative ions move towards the positive terminal, creating a current.

In contrast, pure water is a very poor conductor of electricity. This is because it contains very few free ions.

Important Note: The conductivity of salt water increases with the concentration of dissolved salt.