The circuitry is really irrelevant in the end. The classic statement, "Let the voltage do the work." is almost an insane statement unless you put it in the proper context. To assume an electrical voltage potential alone can split a water molecule, let alone a few trillion in a container, without any flow of current throughout the entire circuit is ludicrous. Take that same statement and use it on an atomic level, it has a different meaning. Just as there is a voltage potential between acids and bases, gases also can take on such characteristics. If we were to mix an unstable mass with a stable mass, what do you suppose would happen? Would it violently react in any way? Suppose we were to mix extremely unstable, positively charged oxygen and hydrogen(electron deficient) with water in a voltage zone of 50Kv or so. What will be the reaction?