Electrolysis: meaning, definitions and examples
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electrolysis
[ ɪˌlɛk.trəˈlaɪ.sɪs ]
chemical process
Electrolysis is a chemical process that involves the use of electrical energy to drive a non-spontaneous chemical reaction. This process typically occurs in an electrolyte solution and is commonly used for purposes such as separating elements from their compounds and plating metals.
Synonyms
electrochemical reaction, electrolytic decomposition.
Examples of usage
- Electrolysis of water produces hydrogen and oxygen gases.
- The electrolysis process is used to purify metals.
- Electrolysis is essential for extracting aluminum from its ore.
- The beauty industry uses electrolysis for hair removal.
Translations
Translations of the word "electrolysis" in other languages:
🇵🇹 eletrólise
🇮🇳 इलेक्ट्रोलिसिस
🇩🇪 Elektrolyse
🇮🇩 elektrolisis
🇺🇦 електроліз
🇵🇱 elektroliza
🇯🇵 電気分解
🇫🇷 électrolyse
🇪🇸 electrolisis
🇹🇷 elektroliz
🇰🇷 전기 분해
🇸🇦 التحليل الكهربائي
🇨🇿 elektrolýza
🇸🇰 elektrolýza
🇨🇳 电解
🇸🇮 elektroliza
🇮🇸 rafmagnsrof
🇰🇿 электролиз
🇬🇪 ელექტროლიზი
🇦🇿 elektroliz
🇲🇽 electrólisis
Etymology
The term 'electrolysis' comes from the combination of two Greek words: 'ēlektron,' meaning amber (which relates to electricity), and 'lysis,' meaning to unbind or loosen. It was first introduced in the early 19th century, around 1834, by the British scientist Michael Faraday, who is considered one of the pioneers of electrochemistry. Faraday's experiments laid the groundwork for the understanding of how electric currents can cause chemical changes. His work demonstrated that electrolysis could be used to decompose compounds into their elemental components, significantly impacting the field of chemistry and other sciences. The process has since been refined and finds applications in various domains, including metallurgy, electroplating, and the synthesis of chemicals, highlighting its importance in both industrial and laboratory settings.