Chemistry / Unit 11 Chem 2225 short lesson, about 20 seconds
Electrolysis: Nonspontaneous Redox Driven by Current
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The idea
Electrolysis forces a nonspontaneous redox reaction to proceed by supplying electrical energy from an external source, running the reaction against its own natural direction.
In practice
Passing current through molten NaCl drives the nonspontaneous decomposition of NaCl into sodium metal and chlorine gas.
Where people slip
Electrolysis does not make a nonspontaneous reaction spontaneous — it overpowers a negative E°cell with external energy.
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