What do we call a substance that, when dissolved in water, separates into charged particles?

The term for a substance that separates into charged particles when dissolved in water is "electrolyte." Electrolytes are typically ionic compounds, such as salts, that dissociate into ions in a solution. These ions carry an electric charge and are essential for various physiological processes, including nerve conduction, muscle contraction, and maintaining fluid balance in the body.

When an electrolyte dissolves in water, it breaks down into its constituent cations and anions. For example, when sodium chloride (table salt) is added to water, it dissociates into sodium ions (Na⁺) and chloride ions (Cl⁻), allowing the solution to conduct electricity due to the movement of these charged particles.

While atoms and molecules are basic units of matter, they do not inherently carry a charge nor dissociate in the manner that electrolytes do when placed in water. Ions, on the other hand, refer specifically to the charged particles that result from the dissociation of an electrolyte but do not encompass the entire substance itself. Therefore, the most accurate term for the entire substance that provides ions when dissolved is "electrolyte."