Question

Are the changes produced by electrolysis chemical or physical change in nature?

Answer 1

In order to answer this question, we should know the difference between physical changes and chemical changes. Physical changes are those changes which are reversible in nature and no new compounds are formed in this type of change while chemical changes are those changes in which new compounds are produced. Now, in the process of electrolysis, electric current is passed through a substance. So, we will see in the solution that electrolysis is a physical change or chemical change.

Complete answer:
We know that there are two types of changes that take place during a reaction. This change can be physical change or chemical change. Both these changes have certain characteristic properties.
Characteristic properties of physical changes:
- In these changes no new chemical compounds are formed.
- Chemical composition of the substance in this type of change does not change.
- These are reversible changes.
Characteristic properties of chemical changes:
- In these changes new chemical compounds are formed.
- Chemical composition of the products differ from that of reactants.
- These are irreversible changes.
Electrolysis is a chemical process in which matter is broken down by electrical current. Chemical change can also be defined as a change in a substance that loses or gains electrons. Therefore, this is also a chemical change.

Note:
We should remember that in a chemical change a substance can undergo oxidation (lose electrons) or reduction (gain electrons). The process of electrolysis takes place in an electrolytic cell in which two electrodes such as cathode (negatively charged electrode) and anode (positively charged electrode) are present.