are simple molecular, giant molecular or ionic compounds used in electrolysis?

Simple molecular compounds are not used as electrolytes in typical electrolysis; ionic compounds are. Giant ionic lattices can be used for electrolysis when they are molten or dissolved in water, because only then do their ions move freely.

Core idea

• Electrolysis needs a substance that:
  • Contains charged particles (ions).
  • Allows those ions to move so they can carry charge.

• Ionic compounds fit this requirement when:
  • Molten (melted) → lattice broken, ions free to move.
  • In aqueous solution → dissolved, ions free in water.

What happens with each type?

Simple molecular substances

• Simple molecular substances (like oxygen, sugar, ethanol) have neutral molecules and no free ions.

• They generally:
  • Do not conduct electricity.
  • Cannot undergo electrolysis on their own, because there are no mobile ions.

Giant molecular (covalent) substances

• Giant covalent structures (like diamond, silica) have atoms held by covalent bonds, not ions.

• They:
  • Usually do not conduct electricity (graphite is a special case, but it conducts via electrons, not ions).
  • Are not used as electrolytes in standard electrolysis, because electrolysis relies on ion movement, not electron flow through a solid.

Ionic compounds (giant ionic)

• Ionic compounds form giant ionic lattices (e.g. sodium chloride, magnesium oxide).

• In the solid state:
  • Ions are fixed in place.
  • They do not conduct and cannot be electrolysed.

• When molten or in solution:
  • Lattice breaks up.
  • Ions can move to the electrodes, so electrolysis can occur.

So: electrolysis uses ionic compounds , which are giant ionic structures, but only when they are molten or in aqueous solution. Simple molecular and giant covalent substances are not used as electrolytes in ordinary electrolysis.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.