Electrolytic cells use electrical energy to cause a chemical reaction, usually with two metal electrodes in a fluid. They can be used for oxygen and hydrogen gas production, electroplating, and rechargeable batteries. They differ from voltaic cells, which convert chemical energy into electricity. Electrolytic cells can be powered by a battery and are used for refining metals. Water and sodium chloride are common solutions used in electrolytic cells.
In an electrolytic cell, electrical energy is applied to cause a chemical reaction. Two metal components called electrodes are usually immersed in a fluid, such as water. Each cell typically has an electrode called a cathode, which has a negative electrical charge, and an anode, which has a positive charge. The chemical reaction that takes place in an electrolytic cell is called electrolysis, which means that a substance is broken down. If water is the solution then it will split into hydrogen and oxygen as the particles flow from the positive anode to the negative cathode.
Industrial and commercial facilities sometimes use an electrolytic cell for oxygen and hydrogen gas from water. The cell can also be used to deposit one metal onto another during electroplating. Rechargeable batteries, such as nickel-metal hydride or lead-acid batteries, often behave like electrolytic cells. Energy reserves can be built up in these types of batteries through the process of converting electrical energy into chemical energy.
Batteries are typically voltaic cells that use chemical energy and convert it into electricity. A voltaic cell is also called a galvanic cell and generally uses the same metal for each electrode. Electrolytic cells, on the other hand, typically use one metal for the positive electrode and a different metal for the other. These too must be in the same solution for the reaction to take place. Galvanic cells can consist of two separate cells with a link called a salt bridge, which moves charged particles called ions from side to side.
An electrolytic cell can be powered by a battery, with wires connected to each electrode to form an electrical circuit. One cell can also be connected to another, but generally each one needs a different voltage for anything substantial to happen. The electrolysis cell which has a higher voltage typically discharges in this circuit. A voltaic cell is created, while the cell with the lowest voltage is allowed to gain a charge. This is typical of an electrolytic cell.
Water is often broken down into gases consisting of its molecular components with an electrolytic cell. Another compound used is sodium chloride, which can be decomposed into chlorine gas and sodium ions; these usually combine with the electrons released from the cathode. Metallic sodium is deposited on the cathode as the ions and electrodes come together. Electrolytic cells are often used to refine metals and are generally part of the purification of aluminium, lead, zinc and copper.
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