Electrolysis uses an electric current to decompose an ionic compound. It must be molten or dissolved in water so its ions can move. The conducting liquid is the electrolyte. A solid ionic compound has ions in fixed positions and does not conduct.
Positive ions → negative cathode.
Negative ions → positive anode.
Ions are discharged at the electrodes to form elements. The circuit uses a direct-current supply.
For a molten binary compound with inert electrodes: metal at the cathode, non-metal at the anode. Molten lead bromide gives lead and bromine. Molten sodium chloride gives sodium and chlorine. These are models to understand; lead compounds and bromine are hazardous.
Ions must move. Positive ions go to the negative cathode; negative ions to the positive anode.
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