What happens to particles in a strong electrolyte in solution?

Strong electrolytes are substances that, when dissolved in water, completely dissociate into their constituent ions. This means that each molecule of a strong electrolyte breaks apart entirely into ions that are free to move in the solution. This characteristic is crucial because it allows strong electrolytes to conduct electricity very effectively, as the presence of free-moving charged particles (the ions) is what facilitates electrical conduction in a solution.

For example, common strong electrolytes include sodium chloride (NaCl) and potassium nitrate (KNO3). When these salts are dissolved in water, they break apart completely: sodium chloride dissociates into sodium ions (Na⁺) and chloride ions (Cl⁻). This complete dissociation is a defining feature that differentiates strong electrolytes from weak electrolytes, which only partially dissociate, leading to fewer ions in solution and, consequently, less conductivity.