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Electrolyis is exactly opposite what happens in a galvanic cell.
(Remember, that in a galvanic cell, a chemical reaction is used to produce
electricity.) In a electrolytic cell (a cell that undergoes electrolysis)
electricity is used to produce a chemical reaction.
Now, I know that you have seen your chemistry teacher do a lab called "Electrolysis
of Water". Basically, all the teacher did was to apply
electricity to water and the water decomposes into H2 and O2.
Making a reaction take place due to the presence of elctricity is what
electrolysis is all about.
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