What is electrolysis?

Electrolysis refers to the process of breaking down a substance through the use of an electric current. In this process, electrical energy is applied to a chemical compound, leading to its decomposition into its constituent elements or simpler compounds. This is commonly applied in various industrial processes, such as the extraction of metals from ores and the production of chemical substances like chlorine and hydrogen.

The importance of the electric current in this process is that it provides the energy necessary to overcome the energy barriers associated with breaking chemical bonds, allowing the constituents to separate effectively. Understanding this characteristic distinguishes electrolysis from other chemical processes, especially those involving heat or non-electric methods of decomposition.