what is electrolytic cell

An electrolytic cell is an electrochemical cell that uses an external source of electrical energy to drive a non-spontaneous chemical reaction, a process called electrolysis. In such a cell, electrical energy is converted into chemical energy by applying a voltage to electrodes immersed in an electrolyte, causing ions to move to the electrodes where oxidation and reduction reactions occur. The anode is positively charged where oxidation happens, and the cathode is negatively charged where reduction takes place. Unlike galvanic cells that produce electrical energy from spontaneous reactions, electrolytic cells require electrical energy input to force reactions that would not occur on their own.