- Electrode: A conductor in the form of a wire, rod or plate which carries electric current in and out of an electrolyte during electrolysis.
- Electrolyte: A substance that can conduct electricity in molten state or aqueous solution and is decomposed by electric current.
- Non-electrolyte: A substance that cannot conduct electricity in molten state or aqueous solution.
- Anion: A negatively-charged ion.
- Anode: An electrode which is connected to the positive terminal of the source of electricity during electrolysis.
- Cathode: An electrode which is connected to the negative terminal of the source of electricity during electrolysis.
- Cation: A positively-charged ion.
- Electrolysis: The process whereby a compound is broken down into its constituent elements when electricity is passed through an electrolyte.
- Aqueous solution: A solution produced when a compound is dissolved in water.
- Electrochemical series: A list of ions arranged in ascending order of their tendency to discharge.
- Purification of metals: The process of obtaining a pure metal from an impure metal through electrolysis.
- Electroplating of metals: The process of coating a layer of metal onto another metal using electrolysis.
- Simple voltaic cell: A cell that converts chemical energy to electrical energy.
- Electrochemical series: An arrangement of metals based on the tendency of each metal atom to donate electrons.
- Electropositivity: A measurement of the ability of an atom to donate electrons to form a positive ion.
- Displacement reaction: A reaction where a more electropositive metal displaces another metal from its salt solution.
