4.1.2 Concept of Electrolytes and Electrolysis
When an ionic compound is dissolved in water, it splits up into its positive and negative ions, these ions are capable of conducting electricity. Such compounds are referred to as electrolytes.
Substances that can conduct electricity when they are in a molten state or aqueous solution and undergo chemical changes. Whereas, a substance that cannot conduct electricity when dissolved in water or in the molten state is called a non- electrolyte.
Examples of electrolytes are NaCl, KCl, HCl, NaOH, etc.
Examples of non- electrolytes are urea, glucose, sucrose, benzene etc.
4.1.3 Electrolytic Cells
An electrochemical cell in which electrical energy is used to drive a chemical reaction is called an electrolytic cell. The figure shows the sketch of an electrolytic cell.
An electrolytic cell consists of
(a) A vessel containing an electrolyte (MX) (b) Two inert electrodes (c) A battery