Chemistry 12 · Chemistry · Lesson 6.5
The electrolytic cell
- Level
- Grade 12
- Reading time
- 12 min reading
- Review
- Last reviewed 2026-09-03
- Standard
- Accuracy standard
- Errata
Abstract
Using electricity to force non-spontaneous reactions.
Concept preview
What you will be able to do
- 01Explain electrolysis and contrast it with a galvanic cell
- 02Identify the electrode processes in electrolysis
- 03Relate the charge passed to the amount of substance produced
A galvanic cell lets a spontaneous reaction produce electricity. An electrolytic cell does exactly the reverse: it uses an external power source to force a non-spontaneous redox reaction to occur. This process is called electrolysis. You supply electrical energy from a battery or power supply, and a reaction that would never happen on its own — one with a negative cell potential — is driven forward.
School Plan
The electrolytic cell
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