Electrochemistry Electrochemical processes are uniformly based on redox (reduction/oxidation) reactions. Think of it as the opposite of a battery. In a battery the chemical process is spontaneous and produces electrical energy, while in an electrolysis you need to put electrical energy in to run the chemical process. An electrolytic cell works on the same principles as any other electrical device: electrons are stripped away from the anode and transferred to the cathode. In an electrolytic reaction, the desired substance appears at one or the other electrode; which electrode depends on whether the substance is being oxidized or reduc