Explain electrolysis when current is passes through the given electrolyte.
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Solution
Electrolysis:
Electrolysis is a process by which electrical energy is used to produce a chemical change.
The electrolysis cell consists of two metallic rods known as electrodes that are connected to a battery and dipped into molten electrolyte or electrolyte solution.
The electrode connected to the positive side of the battery is called the anode.
The electrode connected to the negative side of the battery is called the cathode.
Electrolysis on passing current:
On passing current, the electrically charged cations and anions present in the electrolyte move towards the respective electrodes.
The positively charged cations move toward the cathode and negatively charged anions move towards the anode.
When the anions reach the anode, oxidation takes place, liberating neutral atoms or molecules at the electrode.
When cations reach the cathode, reduction takes place, they are neutralized through electron addition.
Thus, on passing electricity, dissociation of ions takes place in the solution.