An electrolytic cell is primarily used for what purpose?

An electrolytic cell is fundamentally designed to facilitate non-spontaneous chemical reactions by applying an external electric current. In these cells, electricity is used to drive chemical transformations that would not naturally occur on their own. This process is commonly utilized in applications such as electrolysis, where compounds are broken down into their elemental components, such as the electrolysis of water into hydrogen and oxygen gases.

In contrast, other types of cells, such as galvanic or voltaic cells, generate electrical energy from spontaneous reactions. The purpose of an electrolytic cell is distinct because it requires input energy to initiate and sustain reactions that wouldn't occur otherwise, effectively allowing for the synthesis of various chemical products that are otherwise thermodynamically unfavorable.