Question

In electrolysis how does a compound split up and have separate ions on their own? Ions can't exist on their own so how does the parts go to the electrodes?

Answer 1

Usually, you get a different physical state of the product from the one you formed, which you are able to collect by some process.

In electrolysis, for example, water, when it is electrolyzed an electric current is passed through it to separate it into hydrogen and oxygen atoms. This is how it is written:
\(\sf \color{blue}{H_2O_{(l)} \rightarrow H_2._{(g)}+O_2 ._{(g)} }\)

Answer 2

So they do exist as ions independently?