1. The molecules of an electrolyte when dissolved in water split up into two kinds of charged particles, positively charged particle known as cation, negatively charged particle known as anion.
2. Cations are metallic radicals obtained by lose of electrons from metallic atoms. Anions are non-metallic radicals obtained by gain of electrons from non-metallic atoms or groups of nonmetals.
3. In solution, total numbers of cations (positive charges) is equal to the total number of anions (negative charges) & hence the solution as a whole is electrically neutral.
4. The cations & anions present in the solution reunit together forming the original electrovalent compound. Therefore it is reversible type of process.
5. The number of positive or negative charges on the cations or anions corresponds to the valency of the element or radical from which the ion is derived.