What process uses electricity to decompose ionic compounds?

The process that uses electricity to decompose ionic compounds is electrolysis. In electrolysis, an electric current is passed through an ionic solution or molten ionic compound, resulting in a chemical reaction that breaks down the substance into its constituent elements or ions. This process occurs at electrodes, where cations migrate towards the cathode (negative electrode) and anions move towards the anode (positive electrode).

Electrolysis is widely used in various applications, including the extraction of metals from ores, purification of metals, and production of chemical compounds. The importance of electrolysis in industrial applications highlights its role in utilizing electric energy to drive non-spontaneous chemical reactions, thereby enabling the transformation of ionic substances into their elemental forms or different compounds.