The quantity of a substance that is electrolyzed is also proportional to the substance's chemical equivalent. Faraday found that approximately 96,500 coulombs of electricity are required to electrolyze one chemical equivalent of any metal. Therefore, the chemical equivalent of a copper salt solution is 31.77 grams. This much copper will plate out when about 96,500 coulombs pass through the solution. The number of coulombs that flow in each second is measured in units called amperes.
Voltage is like an electrical pressure that pushes the coulombs through the circuit.
In electrolysis, voltage is just as important as amperage. A certain minimum voltage is needed to produce electrolysis in any given substance. Mark S. Wrighton, Ph.D., Ciba-Geigy Professor of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology. How to cite this article.