Electrolysis

Description

An electrochemical process caused when an electric current is passed between two electrodes in an aqueous solution. Water and any inorganic compounds in the solution will dissociate to form positive and negative ions that are then attracted to the electrodes of opposite charge. Any metallic ions in the solution will deposit as a coating on the electrode (see electroplating).

Synonyms and Related Terms

électrolyse (Fr.); Elektrolyse (Deut.); electrólisis (Esp.); electrolyse (Ned.); electrólise (Port.)

Resources and Citations

• Richard S. Lewis, Hawley's Condensed Chemical Dictionary, Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, 10th ed., 1993

• George Savage, Art and Antique Restorer's Handbook, Rockliff Publishing Corp, London, 1954

• The American Heritage Dictionary or Encarta, via Microsoft Bookshelf 98, Microsoft Corp., 1998

• Encyclopedia Britannica, http://www.britannica.com Comment: "Electrolysis." Accessed 19 Aug. 2004 .

• Conservation termlist at www.hants.org.uk/museums