BioMedical Admissions Test (BMAT) 2026 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

In electrolysis, ions undergo reduction or oxidation as they gain or lose electrons, which transforms them into different chemical forms. When cations (positively charged ions) gain electrons, they get reduced and become neutral atoms. Conversely, anions (negatively charged ions) that lose electrons become neutral as well. This reduction or oxidation can lead to the formation of atoms or molecules depending on the context of the electrolysis process.

For example, during the electrolysis of water, hydrogen ions gain electrons to form hydrogen gas (H2), while oxygen ions may form oxygen molecules (O2) if they lose electrons. Thus, the overall process involves the conversion of ions into either stable individual atoms or combined molecular forms, illustrating the fundamental principle of electrolysis.

In contrast, while gases may be formed during the process, the essence of the transformation involves the conversion to atoms or molecules rather than merely shifting to gaseous states. The disappearance of ions entirely does not occur; they are instead reconstituted into a different state. The ion remains until it is reduced or oxidized, so the notion of them forming liquid solutions does not accurately capture the transformation process inherent to electrolysis.