Electrolysis
The decomposition of an electrolyte by passing an electric current through it.
Unit
C
In depth
Cations migrate to the cathode and are reduced while anions migrate to the anode and are oxidised. Which species actually reacts depends on the relative discharge potentials, ion concentrations and overpotentials, so the products are not always the ones a simple prediction would suggest.
Examples in the real world
Electrolysing brine to make chlorine, hydrogen and sodium hydroxide — the chlor-alkali industry.