Electrolysis

—The decomposition of a chemical compound in solution, called the electrolyte, into its constituent elements, called ions, by the pa age of an electric current through it. There are two kinds of ions, viz.: the electro-positive ons called cations and the electro-negative ions called anions; the former appear at the cathode and the latter at the anode. The number of ions liberated in a given time is proportional to the current strength. The current may be regarded as being carried through the electrolyte by the ions: since an ion is capable of carrying a fixed charge only of + or — electricity, any increase in the current strength nece itates an increase in the number of ions.