Electrochemistry

Electrochemistry is the branch of chemistry that studies the relationship between electrical energy and chemical change, focusing on the redox (reduction-oxidation) reactions where electrons are transferred between chemical species. This field encompasses two main types of processes: the generation of an electric current from a spontaneous chemical reaction, which is the principle behind batteries and fuel cells, and the use of an applied electric current to drive a non-spontaneous chemical reaction, a process known as electrolysis, which is fundamental to applications like electroplating and industrial metal refining.