Hi everyone, I know this question sounds very stupid, but I don't understand what PURPOSE an electrolyte serves.
Please take a look at this diagram I've drawn:
http://i55.tinypic.com/99zy9z.jpg
As you can see in the diagram, the circuit starts at the negative terminal (anode) and ends at the positive terminal (cathode). Electrons NEVER FLOW THROUGH THE ELECTROLYTE solution. The entire time they are transferred outside of the solution through an EXTERNAL circuit. So WHY do we need an electrolyte to conduct electricity if it's not even part of the circuit? Isn't the E-cell (electrical potential difference between Zinc and Copper) all that's needed to allow the spontaneous reaction to occur? How does dipping them in an electrolyte and not say, water, help conduct electricity?
Correct me if I'm wrong. In fact I'm dying to know where I went wrong. Much appreciated.
Please take a look at this diagram I've drawn:
http://i55.tinypic.com/99zy9z.jpg
As you can see in the diagram, the circuit starts at the negative terminal (anode) and ends at the positive terminal (cathode). Electrons NEVER FLOW THROUGH THE ELECTROLYTE solution. The entire time they are transferred outside of the solution through an EXTERNAL circuit. So WHY do we need an electrolyte to conduct electricity if it's not even part of the circuit? Isn't the E-cell (electrical potential difference between Zinc and Copper) all that's needed to allow the spontaneous reaction to occur? How does dipping them in an electrolyte and not say, water, help conduct electricity?
Correct me if I'm wrong. In fact I'm dying to know where I went wrong. Much appreciated.