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Why do the electrons not flow through the electrolyte instead of the external circuit in a electrolytic cell connected to an external circuit? I mean, if an electrolyte is a conductor why would the electrons take the way through the external circuit rather than through the electrolyte to the other electrode of an opposite charge?

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Ukula Udan
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  • Ah, thanks @Mithoron. Thought for sure I'd seen a dupe of this before. – hBy2Py Apr 08 '18 at 17:35
  • Oh I accepted the duplicate vote by mistake haha... Anyway, I do not see how it answers it. So think I need a little further help :) – Ukula Udan Apr 08 '18 at 17:49
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    asd, the short answer is that electrons *can't* carry current within the electrolyte, because they are too reactive: they would immediately react to form ions. The electrolyte is a conductor because it's an ionic conductor. – hBy2Py Apr 08 '18 at 17:52

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