Electrolysis is a process that uses electricity to break apart chemical compounds, especially to separate elements that are normally stuck together. The word comes from “electro” (electricity) and “lysis” (breaking apart).

Here's how it works: when you pass an electric current through certain liquids, the electricity can force chemical bonds to break. A common example is splitting water into its two components, hydrogen and oxygen. In a simple electrolysis experiment, you might see bubbles of gas forming at two metal rods placed in water. One rod collects hydrogen bubbles, and the other collects oxygen.

Electrolysis has important real-world uses. Factories use it to extract pure aluminum from aluminum ore. Some cars run on hydrogen fuel made through electrolysis. Scientists are working on using solar power and electrolysis to create clean fuels from water.