Principios De Electrólisis (Ingles)

First of all, we need to have a clear concept of electrolysis. What do we understand by electrolysis? Well, electrolysis is a method that uses electric current to have a non-spontaneous chemicalreaction. Electrolysis is commercially very important because it separates elements from naturally occurring sources. In other words, electrolysis means splitting by electricity. We also have to know thatcompounds can be decomposed by an electric current and this just can happen if a compound is made of ions and/or is melted or dissolved in water so that the ions are free to move. Electrodes are theones in charge of carrying current.
When a compound like lead bromide melts its ions become free to move. We have to know that bromide’s negative ions are attracted by the positive electrode and thepositive ions of lead are attracted to the negative electrode separating bromide from lead. A process of reduction happens on lead in which their ions gain two electrons each forming atoms eventuallybecoming lead. On the other hand, bromide courses through a process of oxidation, their ions lose one electron each forming bromine atoms, they pair up to form molecules and bromine leaves thesolution as a gas.
Taking lead bromide as an example we can now have a better understanding and this is how the process of electrolysis works; it’s basically a process of reduction at a negative electrodeand oxidation at a positive electrode. You charge the ions of the compound separating them into different elements.
Metals form when a molten ionic compound is electrolyzed at the negative electrodeand a non-metal at the positive electrode. Also, if you dissolve an ionic compound in water, its ions are free to move and the solution will be electolysed. However, the results or the product can bedifferent from the molten compound and this is because water itself, produces some ions. So, when you electrolyse aqueous solutions of compounds: hydrogen gas is released at the negative electrode...