An electrolytic cell is an electrochemical cell that uses an external source of electrical energy to drive a non-spontaneous chemical reaction, a process known as electrolysis. In the cell, a voltage is applied between the two electrodes—an anode and a cathode —immersed in an electrolyte solution. This contrasts with a galvanic cell, which produces electrical energy from a spontaneous chemical reaction and forms the basis of batteries. The net reaction in an electrolytic cell is a non-spontaneous, whereas in a galvanic cell, it is spontaneous.