Electrolysis

• Electrolysis is the breaking down of a substance using electricity.
• an electric current is passed through an electrolyte (a molten or dissolved ionic compound), causing it to decompose
• oxidation (loss of electrons) and reduction (gain of electrons) occurs in electrolysis
• the positive ions in the electrolyte move towards the negative electrode and gain electrons
• the negative ions in the electrolyte move towards the positive electrode and lose electrons