Which process describes the breakdown of a compound into its elements using an electric current?

The breakdown of a compound into its constituent elements using an electric current is known as electrolysis. This process involves passing an electrical current through an electrolyte, which causes chemical reactions at the electrodes. The result is the decomposition of the compound into its basic elemental forms. For example, the electrolysis of water (H₂O) produces hydrogen gas and oxygen gas.

Electrolysis is particularly important in various applications, including the extraction of metals from ores and the production of gases like hydrogen and chlorine. The electric current provides the necessary energy to overcome the bonding energies within the compound, facilitating its breakdown into simpler substances.

The other processes listed—combustion, oxidation, and reduction—do not specifically involve the use of electric current to decompose compounds into elements. Combustion is a chemical reaction that typically involves oxygen and results in the release of energy through the formation of products, often in the presence of fuel. Oxidation and reduction are terms used to describe the transfer of electrons between substances but do not inherently include the application of an electric current for decomposition.