Re: difference between anode and cathode?


"Michael Noone" <mnoone.uiuc.edu@xxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:Xns9664759CED2BBmnooneuiucedu127001@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Hi - I thing the single thing that causes me the most problems with
> electronic devices is polarities. Right now the thing that is really
> bothering me is the difference between an anode and a cathode. According
> to
> dictionary.com, an anode is:
>
> 1. A positively charged electrode, as of an electrolytic cell,
> storage battery, or electron tube.
> 2. The negatively charged terminal of a primary cell or of a storage
> battery that is supplying current.
>
> What got me confused is that I had always thought cathodes were positive -
> but then I was reading that the end pointed to by the triangle in a diode
> is the cathode, and since the triangle denotes the current flow - that
> means current flows from the anode to the cathode in a diode. So - can
> somebody please help me out a bit here?
>
> On a related note - is there any standard in which lead in a polarized
> component is positive and which is negative? (ie electrolytics, tantalums,
> leds, etc.)
>
> Thanks, and sorry for such a simple question.
>
> -Michael J. Noone

Hi Michael,

With the risk of possibly adding confusion to what others have said;

Anions are negatively charged atoms, radicals or groups of atoms which
travel to the anode or positive pole during electrolysis.

Cations have a positive charge and travel to the cathode.
Regards,
Tom


.

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