Why cannot we use ac for electrolysis?
Answers
Even if it were current-limited, alternating current (AC) would not be appropriate for electrolysis. Because the "cathode" and "anode" are constantly switching places, AC produces explosive mixtures of hydrogen and oxygen. ... Direct current (DC) is used for electrolysis.
We cannot use Alternate current for electrolysis because of the following reasons :
The direct current helps to deposit the anions in the anode and the cations in the cathode.
If alternate current was used, then the direction of current will go on changing and hence this would lead to uneven deposition of ions in the electrodes.
The polarity of the current will change every half and hence the deposition of ions will be a faulty one.
Thus direct current of constant magnitude is used.