What is electrolysis??

Electrolysis is the process by which ionic substances are decomposed into simpler substances when an electric current is passed through them.

• Ionic compounds contain charged particles called ions. For example, Sodium Chloride contains positively charged Sodium ions and negatively charged Chlorine ions.
• The ions must be free to move in order to start the electrolysis process. When an ionic substance is dissolved in water or melted then the ions are free to move. During electrolysis, positively charged ions move to the negative electrode and negatively charged ions move to the positive electrode. Then positively charged ions receive electrons and negatively charged ions lose electrons. Both the products of the dissociation get collected at the electrodes.
• For instance, if electricity is passed through molten sodium chloride, the sodium chloride is broken into sodium and chlorine and they collect at their respective electrodes. The metals get precipitated and the gases escape. This ability to break down substance with current is used in many ways.
• Electrolysis is widely used for Electroplating.