* Ionic Compounds: Salt is an ionic compound, meaning it's formed by the electrostatic attraction between positively charged ions (cations) and negatively charged ions (anions). In salt, these are sodium ions (Na+) and chloride ions (Cl-).
* Dissociation: When salt dissolves in water, the water molecules surround the ions, pulling them apart from the crystal lattice. This process is called dissociation.
* Conductivity: The dissolved ions are now free to move around in the solution. These mobile charged particles allow the solution to conduct electricity, making it an electrolyte.
In contrast, a non-electrolyte is a substance that does not dissociate into ions when dissolved in water, and therefore does not conduct electricity.
