Question

Collect information about electrolysis and make a list of articles in day to day life

Answer 1

INTRODUCTION
In 1800, two Englishmen, William Nicholson and Anthony Carlisle, used an electric current to decompose water into its element, hydrogen and oxygen. This is an example of electrolysis. Electrolysis is the process of using electricity to break down or decompose a compound. It has a few main components – a battery, electrodes and an electrolyte. There are many applications of electrolysis.

Electroplating is one of the main areas where electrolysis is implemented.

ELECTROPLATING
It is the coating of one metal over the other which is called electroplating. It is done for few reasons to benefit us:

1.  Resistance to corrosion and increased life span
2. Provision of insulation
3. Better appearance for e.g. chrome, nickel or silver can produce a mirror like finish

Resistance to corrosion and increased life span: A coat of one less valuable metal on a more valuable metal can be very beneficial.  For example if zinc is electroplated on iron then it would protect iron from getting corroded and would ensure proper usage.

Provision of insulation: Insulating materials can be electroplated for safety of living organisms. Plastic for example can be electroplated on copper or aluminum for protection from shocks.

Better appearance: this one of the most common method used for everyday life coating. Electroplating of silver, chrome or nickel protects the base metal from corrosion, or scratches as well as provides a shiny attractive appearance for decorations or jewelry. 

ELECTROTYPING
This is a much of a decorative or labelling where a wax figure is made of desired shape and coated with carbon and used as an electrode which can deposit metals forming a solid plate made of a thin sheet of pure metal e.g., copper metal.

ELECTROLYTIC PURIFICATION
In Today’s age, there is high demand for very pure metals. Electrolysis can be used to purify metals, such as purification of copper. A pure bar of cathode attached to the cathode can have deposits of that metal from the impure metal electrode from the anode.





ELECTRO-REPAIRING
This is a techniques used for repairing of broken machinery. The whole surface of the broken/damaged object or component is covered with wax except where the repair is needed and is made the cathode and dipped in an electrolysis bath. The metals deposits on the dent or the part open part. After enough metal is deposited, by further machinery it can provide the exact shape wanted.

ELECTRIC CELL
One of the most common used every day object, the battery cell, uses the electrolysis for voltage difference.  It essentially reverses electrolysis. It is made by placing two different metals in contact with an electrolyte. The metals act as the electrodes for a simple cell. The farther away the two metals in the reactivity series, the higher voltage and current is produced.

WATER ELECTROLYSIS
The water is one of the most common and the oldest technique discovered by scientist. Today it is used in many places. Water electrolysis is helping for a safer poultry industry. It is also used for collecting oxygen and hydrogen separately for their specific purposes, like for use of oxygen in the oxygen tanks which also contains argon. Hydrogen can be used as fuel or it is used in massive quantities in the petroleum and chemical industries.

HAIR REMOVAL

A minor but very useful method of looking good in society is electrolysis hair removal. Electrolysis hair removal is the only method approved by the FDA for  without requiring multiple sessions, permanent hair removal isn't 100% guaranteed for everyone.

A minor use is in the capacitors which stores electricity and provides it when switching on something.
In hair removal should the needle enter and an electric charge is discharged into the skin, you could get a scale

SOCIAL ISSUES

Due to electrolysis or electroplating, people can be affected in many ways. Pollution can cause any disease to any one on a general basis, however due to electroplating there can be occupational asthma. People living around those people can get affected too spreading the disease to others and the society. However the electrochemical or electrolysis field has increased the job opportunities for the people and thus developing the country.


CONCLUSION

Electrolysis has a major use in our day to day life, because it provides several products as well as makes us looks good and satisfied. It provides a fuel, as in hydrogen and gives us extra life, as for the oxygen. It is true that there are disadvantages for electrolysis, like giving us scars, creating pollution or increases the time required for making one product however it has so many good effects too, like providing permanent hair loss to most people as well as give a lustrous look to a dull metal or even provide electricity in emergency or mobile devices. I think without electrolysis our life would be incomplete