Nonelectrolyte Definition in Chemistry

Sugar is an example of a nonelectrolyte, while salt is an example of an electrolyte.
Sugar is an example of a nonelectrolyte, while salt is an example of an electrolyte. Howard Pugh (Marais) / Getty Images
By
Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D.
Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D.
Chemistry Expert
  • Ph.D., Biomedical Sciences, University of Tennessee at Knoxville
  • B.A., Physics and Mathematics, Hastings College
Dr. Helmenstine holds a Ph.D. in biomedical sciences and is a science writer, educator, and consultant. She has taught science courses at the high school, college, and graduate levels.
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Updated on July 03, 2019

A nonelectrolyte is a substance that does not exist in an ionic form in aqueous solution. Nonelectrolytes tend to be poor electrical conductors and don't readily dissociate into ions when melted or dissolved. Solutions of nonelectrolytes do not conduct electricity.

A scientist conducts an electrical conductivity test
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Chemistry Examples: Strong and Weak Electrolytes
By Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D.

Examples of Nonelectrolytes

Ethyl alcohol (ethanol) is a nonelectrolyte because it does not ionize when dissolved in water. Sugar is another example of a nonelectrolyte. Sugar dissolves in water, yet retains its chemical identity.

Telling Electrolytes and Nonelectrolytes Apart

  • Electrolytes tend to contain ionic bonds that break when the chemical interacts with water and other polar solvents. Electrolytes include salts and other polar molecules.
  • Nonelectrolytes, in contrast, tend to contain covalent bonds and are typically nonpolar molecules.
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Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. "Nonelectrolyte Definition in Chemistry." ThoughtCo, Feb. 16, 2021, thoughtco.com/definition-of-nonelectrolyte-604573. Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. (2021, February 16). Nonelectrolyte Definition in Chemistry. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/definition-of-nonelectrolyte-604573 Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. "Nonelectrolyte Definition in Chemistry." ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/definition-of-nonelectrolyte-604573 (accessed April 18, 2024).