Electrolysis is a chemical process in which an electric current is passed through a substance (usually in molten form or dissolved in water) to break it down into its simpler components.
- The substance being broken down is called the electrolyte.
- Electrolysis takes place in a container called an electrolytic cell.
- The two electrodes used are:
- Cathode (negative electrode): Attracts positively charged ions (cations).
- Anode (positive electrode): Attracts negatively charged ions (anions).
When electricity is passed:
- Cations move to the cathode, where they gain electrons (reduction occurs).
- Anions move to the anode, where they lose electrons (oxidation occurs).
Example: Electrolysis of water splits it into hydrogen (collected at the cathode) and oxygen (collected at the anode).
In simple words: Electrolysis uses electricity to break down compounds into their elements.