electrolyse

Definition
  1. Verb (transitive):
    • To decompose by electric current: "electrolyse" means to break down a chemical compound into its constituent elements or ions by passing an electric current through a solution or molten substance containing the compound. This process is used in chemistry and industry to extract metals, purify substances, or produce gases like hydrogen and oxygen.
Usage Examples
  • (The chemist broke down the solution using electricity.)
  • (They decompose bauxite electrically to extract aluminium.)
  • (Water is broken down into its elements by electric current.)
Advanced Usage

  • "to electrolyse a molten compound": to apply electrolysis to a substance in its liquid state (not dissolved in water).

    • They electrolyse molten sodium chloride to produce sodium metal and chlorine gas. (The process is done on the melted salt.)

  • "electrolyse with inert electrodes": to perform electrolysis using electrodes that do not react chemically with the electrolyte.

    • Platinum electrodes are often used to electrolyse acidic solutions. (The electrodes remain unchanged during the process.)
Variants and Related Words
  • Electrolysis (noun): the chemical process of decomposition by electric current.
    • Electrolysis is used to refine copper. (The process itself is named electrolysis.)
  • Electrolytic (adjective): relating to or produced by electrolysis.
    • An electrolytic cell is required to electrolyse the compound. (The cell is designed for electrolysis.)
  • Electrolyte (noun): the substance that conducts electricity and is decomposed during electrolysis.
    • The electrolyte in this experiment is a dilute sulfuric acid solution. (The liquid that allows current flow.)
Synonyms
  • Decompose electrically: to break down using electricity.
  • Electrochemically decompose: to separate substances through electrochemical reactions.
Phrasal Verbs
  • Electrolyse out: to separate a substance from a mixture by electrolysis.
    • They electrolysed out the copper from the ore solution. (They extracted copper using electrolysis.)
Related Idioms
  • Electrolyse at the anode/cathode: a technical phrase referring to the specific electrode where a reaction occurs.
    • Oxygen gas is electrolysed at the anode. (Oxygen forms at the positive electrode.)

Từ chứa "electrolyse"