What purpose does the electrolyte serve in pure water used for electric boilers?

The key purpose of adding an electrolyte to pure water in electric boilers is to enable the water to conduct electricity. Pure water, or distilled water, has very low levels of dissolved ions, resulting in poor conductivity. Electrolytes, which consist of ions when dissolved, increase the number of charge carriers in the water, allowing for the flow of electrical current.

This conductivity is crucial for electric boilers that rely on electrical resistance heating elements. An adequate level of conductivity ensures the effective operation of these heating elements, enabling them to generate heat for boiling the water and producing steam. Proper ion concentration facilitates the overall efficiency and effectiveness of the electric boiler's operation, as it minimizes issues such as scaling and improves heat transfer.

While the other options relate to aspects of boiler operation and water characteristics, they do not directly pertain to the primary function of the electrolyte in electric boilers, which is to conduct electricity effectively.