What is the term for a positive electrode?
An anode is the electrode in a polarized electrical device through which current flows in from an outside circuit.
Conversely, a cathode is the electrode in a polarized electrical device through which current flows out. Cathodes get their name from "cations" (negatively charged ions) and anodes from "anions" (positively charged ions).
In a device that consumes electricity, the anode is the charged positive electrode. Such devices include diodes, electrolytic cells in hydrogen production, and secondary battery cells in recharging batteries.
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13 Comments
earlepg
I got confused, so I looked it up online. What I found was that there is a switch, depending upon what is happening with the battery.
During a CHARGE, the POSITIVE electrode is an ANODE, and the NEGATIVE electrode is a CATHODE.
During a DISCHARGE, the POSITIVE electrode is a CATHODE, and the NEGATIVE electrode is an ANODE.
Satish Chandran
Mick Pink, u r wrong.
michael d engels
Use "terminal" in lieu of "electrode"...
Mike Young
Mick Pink, Your tutor got it wrong - I'm an electrical engineer.
Elsy O. Stromberg
Not good Q and A.
Mick Pink
I did electronic engineering and I was taught the the anode was negative and cathode was positive .
Bob Gorby
Abide it from the get-go!
Jim Moser
ZAIN man - Cathode is the positive terminal and the Anode is the negative terminal.
chipdhf
The anode is regarded as negative in a galvanic (voltaic) cell and the cathode is deemed positive. This seems appropriate because the anode is the origin of electrons and where the electrons flow is the cathode.
Denise Currie
How did this pass review? Very poorly worded and confusing question
Jacqueline Tattam
This should not have passed review
Albeck1994
Depends on the cell as it's the other way round in a galvanic cell. Very poor question. How did it get through
Anne Patrick
The question should have included the type of cell, electrolytic or galvanic. In a galvanic (voltaic) cell, the anode is considered negative and the cathode is considered positive.As the anode is the source of electrons and cathode is where the electrons flow.