What is electrolysis? With the help of a diagram, show the flow of ions towards electrodes in saltwater.

Electrolysis is a method or technique of separating bonded elements and compounds by passing an electric current (DC) through them.

Now, an electrical current is applied between a pair of inert electrodes immersed in the liquid, where the negatively charged electrode is called the cathode, and the positively charged one the anode.

Each electrode attracts ions which are of opposite charge, therefore, positively charged ions (called cations) move towards the cathode, while negatively charged ions (called anions) move toward the anode.

The energy required to separate the ions is provided by an electrical power supply which causes them to gather at the respective electrodes.