Changes

[[Electrolysis]] is a process in which an [[Ionic Compound|ionic compound]] is [[Decompose (Chemistry)|decomposed]] by passing an [[Electrical Current|electrical current]] through it.

===About Electrolysis===

: In [[electrolysis]] two [[electrode]]s (an [[anode]] and a [[cathode]]) are placed in either a [[molten]] or [[aqueous]] [[Ionic Compound|ionic compound]].

: [[Electrolysis]] cannot happen in [[solid]]s because the [[ion]]s [[vibrate]] around fixed positions in a [[solid]] and are not free to move.

: The [[Positive Ion|positive ions]] are [[attracted]] to the [[Negative Charge|negative]] [[electrode]] ([[cathode]]) and the [[Negative Ion|negative ions]] are [[attracted]] to the [[Positive Charge|positive]] [[electrode]] ([[anode]]).

: When the [[Positive Ion|positive ions]] reach the [[cathode]] they gain [[electron]]s to become [[atom]]s. However, in [[aqueous]] [[solution]] if the [[metal]] [[ion]]s are more [[reactivity|reactive]] than [[Hydrogen]] then [[Hydrogen]] [[gas]] will be [[product|produced]].

: To describe an [[electrolysis]] [[Chemical Reaction|reaction]] [[Half Equation|half equations]] are used.

===Electrolysis of Molten Ionic Compounds===

: The [[Ionic Compound|ionic compound]] must be [[heated]] and [[melting|melted]] before [[electrolysis]].

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===Electrolysis of Aqueous Ionic Compounds===