electrolysis of molten ionic compounds

• why can't an ionic solid be electrolysed?


  because the ions are in fixed positions and can't move.
• why can molten ionic compounds be electrolysed?


  the ions can move freely and conduct electricity
• what are molten ionic compounds always broken into?


  their elements e.g molten lead bromide
• what sort of material should the electrodes be made out of?


  inert materials, so they don't react with the electrolyte, (graphite, {noble metals: gold, silver, platinum}, copper, brass)
• what happens to positive metal ions at the cathode?


  they are reduced to the element at the cathode.
• what happens to the negative metal ions at the anode?


  they are oxidised to the element at the anode.