When a chemical reaction is started with electricity, it is called electrolysis. It is usual for reactions involving liquids, especially with ions dissolved in water.
You know what ions are. Ions are atoms or molecules containing unequal number of protons and electrons, making it charged. Electrolysis was first performed in 1785 when Martinus van Marums used an electrostatic generator to reduce tin, zinc, and antimony from their salts.
William Nicholson and Anthony Carlisle found the composition of water using electrolysis. Electrochemistry began with the electrolysis of water and helped scientists learn more about the nature of chemical compounds.
The word “electrolysis” was introduced by Michael Faraday in the 19th century. The process is commercially relevant as an electrolytic cell is used at a stage in the separation of elements from naturally occurring sources such as ores.
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