Strong reducing agents are oxidized in the functioning of electrolytic cells. In turn, the strongest oxidizing agent is reduced. Hydrogen is a stronger reducing agent than sodium.
Electrolytic cells are used to extract metals from their ores, according to Saskschools. Aluminum is one of the important metals that may be extracted from electrolytic cells. Electrolytic cells are also used to electroplate gold and silver onto iron metal.
If sodium chloride (NaCl) is placed in a container, followed by an insertion of inert electrodes of carbon (C) which are attached to the positive and negative ends of a battery, an electrolytic reaction takes place. The purpose of this reaction is to release chlorine gas and reduce sodium ions to sodium atoms.