Electrolysis and Redox Reaction

Lysis basically means Disintegration. So simply we can say that electrolysis is disintegration of
chemical compound using electric current. Electric energy is converted into chemical energy.

Electrolysis is carried out in an electrolytic cell. Electrolytic cell consist of positive and
negative electrodes held apart. These electrodes are dipped into a solution containing
positively and negatively charged ions. The schematic diagram of electrolytic cell is given
below:

Schematic Diagram of Electrolytic cell

In electrolysis, redox reaction occurs

Electrolysis, process by which electric current is passed through a substance to effect a

chemical change. The chemical change is one in which the substance loses or gains
an electron (oxidation or reduction). The process is carried out in an electrolytic cell, an
apparatus consisting of positive and negative electrodes held apart and dipped into a
solution containing positively and negatively charged ions. The substance to be transformed
may form the electrode, may constitute the solution, or may be dissolved in the solution.
Electric current (i.e., electrons) enters through the negatively charged electrode (cathode);
components of the solution travel to this electrode, combine with the electrons, and are
transformed (reduced). The products can be neutral elements or new molecules.
Components of the solution also travel to the other electrode (anode), give up their
electrons, and are transformed (oxidized) to neutral elements or new molecules. If the
substance to be transformed is the electrode, the reaction is often one in which the electrode
dissolves by giving up electrons.