Example electrolysis setting:
Cathode: copper
Anode: zinc
Electrolyte: dilute aqueous sodium chloride [$\ce{NaCl(aq)}$]
During electrolysis, zinc is more reactive than copper, hence electron flows from zinc anode to copper electrode.
At the zinc anode:
$\ce{Zn(s)->Zn^2+ (aq) + 2e-}$
Q: What is this process known as?
("Dissociation" is usually applied for salts that dissolve to form mobile ions, and "discharge" is usually used for ions in the electrolyte itself that gain/lose electrons. Hence, what would a proper term be?)
When the zinc anode "dissociates" in the electrolyte, $\ce{Zn^2+}$ ions are formed.
Q: Do the $\ce{Zn^2+}$ ions remain "isolated"?
(Because $\ce{H+}$ions are selectively discharged at the copper cathode, this leaves the $\ce{Zn^2+}$ions $\ce{Na^+}$ions are bonded to $\ce{Cl-}$ions, so does the $\ce{Zn^2+}$ions form just move into the electrolyte just like that, with an unstable electronic configuration?)