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Two electrodes must be connected to a battery and then placed in the compound to be electrolysed ( it must be in its molten form or dissolved in a solution). The battery is then switched on and an electric current passes through the compound, electrolysing it.

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13y ago
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6mo ago

Electrolysis is a process that uses an electric current to drive a non-spontaneous chemical reaction. By passing an electric current through a solution containing ions, the ions are either oxidized (lose electrons) at the anode or reduced (gain electrons) at the cathode. This results in the separation of the ions into their constituent elements.

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13y ago

Electrolysis is a process by which electricity is used to decompose or (breakdown) molecules into key components.

It is done by the use of two electrically conductive materials perferibly metals or semi conductors, which are connected to a direct current power source. One metal connected to the positive side of the battery and the other connected to the negative side of the battery. These metals are then submerged in the substance that is in need of decomposition.

Electrolysis of water example

2H20 + 2electrons= H2+O2+e

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13y ago

Electrolysis is the converting of a salt to a metal and a non-metal, with the help of electricity.

Eg. NaCl(sodium chloride) to Sodium metal and Chlorine gas.

There is a cathode and anode(mainly made of carbon- because it is inert) submerged in an electolyte (NaCl). The cathode and anode is connected to the powersupply by positive and negative respectively. Due to the flow of electrons, the sodium cation reduce its charge to become sodium metal. Chloride anion convert to chlorine gas.

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16y ago

in electrolysis the flow of current takes place . when the current pass from cathode and anode (electrodes) then this process is the working of electrolysis.

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Q: How does electrolysis work?
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Related questions

Explain why a substance needs to be either in a solution or molten for electrolysis to work?

Because electrolysis needs a liquid to conduct the electricity.


History of water electrolysis by Antoine lavoisier?

Antoine Lavoisier did not directly work on water electrolysis. He was a French chemist known for his work on the law of conservation of mass and the naming and characterization of oxygen. The process of water electrolysis, which involves splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen using an electrical current, was developed by other scientists in the 1800s, such as William Nicholson and Johann Ritter.


Is electrolysis of NaCl a chemical change or not?

Electrolysis is a chemical change.


What can electrolysis be used to do?

Electrolysis can be used to decompose chemical compounds.


Do electrolysis link up elements?

It is inverse: electrolysis separate elements.


Is electrolysis physical or chemical property?

Electrolysis is not a property, it is a chemical process.


What is the name of a process by which water is broken down into hydrogen and oxygen?

It's an example of electrolysis. Not unwanted hair removal, but that does use the same process. Electrolysis is the process of breaking down compounds by running an electric current through them.


Why must compounds be moltern for electrolysis to work?

Compounds must be molten in electrolysis because the ions present in the compound need to be free to move and carry electric current. In the molten state, the compound breaks down into its constituent ions, which can then undergo the electrolysis process. In a solid state, the ions are not free to move and the compound cannot conduct electricity.


What is a process that uses electric current to break chemical bonds?

Electrolysis is a process that uses electric current to break chemical bonds, typically in compounds dissolved in water. It involves the passage of current through an electrolyte to drive a non-spontaneous chemical reaction, causing the compound to decompose into its constituent elements.


How many laws were published by Michael Faraday about electrolysis?

he had two laws of electrolysis


Why electrolysis can be separate by fractional distillation?

Electrolysis is a process, fractional distillation another.


What do you call decomposition of liquid compound by electric current?

It is called electrolysis.