What term describes substances that ionize in solution and enable water to carry electric current?

The term that describes substances that ionize in solution and enable water to carry electric current is electrolytes. Electrolytes are compounds that dissociate into ions when dissolved in water, thereby creating a solution that can conduct electricity. This property is crucial in various biological and chemical processes, as it allows for the transfer of electrical impulses and is fundamental in applications ranging from hydration in athletes to the functioning of batteries.

In contrast, solvents refer to substances in which solutes are dissolved, but they do not necessarily have electrical conductivity properties like electrolytes. Acids and bases are specific types of electrolytes; while they do ionize in solution, the broader category of electrolytes encompasses all ionizing compounds, including salts and bases, which can also conduct electricity. Thus, electrolytes encompass a wider range of substances that fulfill the requirement of enabling water to carry an electric current through ionization.