What is meant by electrolysis of water . write the electrodes of water . Write the electrode reaction and explain them.
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Answer:
Electrolysis, process by which electric current is passed through a substance to effect a chemical change. The chemical change is one in which the substance loses or gains an electron (oxidation or reduction). The process is carried out in an electrolytic cell (q.v.), an apparatus consisting of positive and negative electrodes held apart and dipped into a solution containing positively and negatively charged ions. The substance to be transformed may form the electrode, may constitute the solution, or may be dissolved in the solution. Electric current (i.e., electrons) enters through the negatively charged electrode (cathode); positively charged components of the solution travel to this electrode, combine with the electrons, and are transformed to neutral elements or molecules. The negatively charged components of the solution travel to the other electrode (anode), give up their electrons, and are transformed into neutral elements or molecules. If the substance to be transformed is the electrode, the reaction is generally one in which the electrode dissolves by giving up electrons.