Electrochemistry

Electrochemistry is a branch o chemistry that studies chemical reactions which tak place in a solution at the interface o an electron conductor (the electrode: a metal or a semiconductor) an an ionic conductor (the electrolyte). These reactions involve electron transfer atween the electrode an the electrolyte or species in solution.

English chemist John Daniell (left) an pheesicist Michael Faraday (richt), baith credited as foonders o electrochemistry the day.

If a chemical reaction is driven bi an externally applied voltage, as in electrolysis, or if a voltage is creatit bi a chemical reaction as in a battery, it is an electrochemical reaction. In contrast, chemical reactions whaur electrons are transferred atween molecules are cried oxidation-reduction (redox) reactions. In general, electrochemistry deals wi situations whaur redox reactions are separatit in space or time, connectit bi a fremmit electric circuit.