Can water be an electrolytic solution?

Question

anonymous · Answer

So basically can it dissociate or ionize into its ions when placed in water?      but then water is a solvent and solvents dont dissolve in solvents  so H20 would remain H20

I have no idea becuase i know they can be electrolytic but lets say for net ionic equations you dont break water up

nottim · Answer

What can dissociate or ionize when its ions are placed in water?

nottim · Answer

Anyways, I dunno if this helps.

"Sometimes the solvents themselves (usually water) are oxidized or reduced at the electrodes. It is even possible to have electrolysis involving gases. (Such as when using a Gas diffusion electrode)"

nottim · Answer

I have no idea either.

anonymous · Answer

haha at least you tried, thanks anyway

nottim · Answer

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electrolysis sourcing my info

nottim · Answer

Are electrolytic solutions ionic compounds? Because if that's true, then water can't be because its 'symmetrical'

anonymous · Answer

there acids and bases and ionic but for some reason water can.... its in my notes :/

nottim · Answer

Water IS ionic?

jfraser · Answer

$pure$ water is not a solution at all, since a solution has to be a solute dissolved into a $different$ solvent. Water dissolved in water just doesn't make sense. Solutions made in water $may$ be electrolytic, depending on what the solute is. Salts are usually great electrolytes, since they (mostly) dissociate strongly into their ions.

If this is part of and acid\base unit, you have to know: do acids and bases dissociate strongly in water? If so, that would make them strong electrolytes