Definition

1. Noun:
   • A device for electrolysis: An electrolytic cell is an electrochemical cell that uses electrical energy to drive a non-spontaneous chemical reaction. It consists of an electrolyte and at least two electrodes (an anode and a cathode) where oxidation and reduction occur when an external voltage is applied.

Usage

• An electrolytic cell is the apparatus used to perform electrolysis, the process of decomposing a chemical compound by passing an electric current through it.
• It is the opposite of a galvanic (voltaic) cell, which generates electrical energy from a spontaneous chemical reaction.

Examples

• Noun:
  • In the laboratory, we used an electrolytic cell to decompose water into hydrogen and oxygen gases.
  • The purification of copper is achieved using a large-scale electrolytic cell.
  • An applied voltage is necessary for the reaction in an electrolytic cell to proceed.

Advanced Usage

• "to operate as an electrolytic cell": To function in the mode of using electrical energy to cause a chemical change.
  • When the battery is being recharged, it operates as an electrolytic cell.

Variants and Related Words

• Electrolysis (n): The chemical process carried out in an electrolytic cell.
  • Electrolysis of brine produces chlorine gas.
• Electrolyte (n): A substance that produces an electrically conducting solution when dissolved, which is a key component of the cell.
  • Aqueous sodium chloride is a common electrolyte.
• Galvanic cell (n): An electrochemical cell that generates electrical energy from a spontaneous redox reaction, serving as the conceptual opposite.
  • A common battery is a type of galvanic cell.

Synonyms

• Electrochemical cell (in the context of driven reactions): A more general term that includes both galvanic and electrolytic cells.
• Decomposition cell: A descriptive term highlighting its function.

Related Phrases

• To set up an electrolytic cell: To assemble the apparatus required for electrolysis.
  • The first step in the experiment is to set up a proper electrolytic cell.
• The anode of an electrolytic cell: The electrode where oxidation occurs; it is connected to the positive terminal of the power supply.
  • In an electrolytic cell, the anode is positive.
• The cathode of an electrolytic cell: The electrode where reduction occurs; it is connected to the negative terminal of the power supply.
  • Metal ions are reduced at the cathode of the electrolytic cell.

Noun

1. a cell containing an electrolyte in which an applied voltage causes a reaction to occur that would not occur otherwise (such as the breakdown of water into hydrogen and oxygen)