Eli5: Why does sea water kill us but electrolyte solutions actually hydrate us? Aren’t they both water + salts?

Question

Edit: Question answered. Thanks!

Don’t be too hard on me, I almost failed chemistry:'(

In: 2220

Answer 1

If salt was alcohol, itd be like a glass of beer vs a glass of hard alcohol, ones much more concentrated (for simplification purposes not the same actual ratio of salt in seawater to electrolyte)

Answer 2

If salt was alcohol, itd be like a glass of beer vs a glass of hard alcohol, ones much more concentrated (for simplification purposes not the same actual ratio of salt in seawater to electrolyte)

Answer 3

I was literally thinking about this the other day while drinking a Gatorade, thank you for asking so I can know now. Lol

Answer 4

you know there’s more than just salt in the sea right?

Answer 5

I was literally thinking about this the other day while drinking a Gatorade, thank you for asking so I can know now. Lol

Answer 6

I was literally thinking about this the other day while drinking a Gatorade, thank you for asking so I can know now. Lol

Answer 7

you know there’s more than just salt in the sea right?

Answer 8

you know there’s more than just salt in the sea right?

Answer 9

The difference is in the relative concentrations of the water in each case compared to the electrolytes. If a membrane separates two solutions, water will cross the membrane in a direction that moves it from high water concentration to low water concentration. Our bodies are less than 1% ions or 99% water and sea water is about 3% ions or 97% water. Separated from sea water at 97%, body fluids will cross the barrier from 99% concentration (inside your body) to 97% (outside your body).

The salt water will suck out your water as easily as the sun will evaporate it.

Answer 10

The difference is in the relative concentrations of the water in each case compared to the electrolytes. If a membrane separates two solutions, water will cross the membrane in a direction that moves it from high water concentration to low water concentration. Our bodies are less than 1% ions or 99% water and sea water is about 3% ions or 97% water. Separated from sea water at 97%, body fluids will cross the barrier from 99% concentration (inside your body) to 97% (outside your body).

The salt water will suck out your water as easily as the sun will evaporate it.