The Important Difference Between Anode and Cathode: Anode and cathode are terms used to refer to terminals of a polarized electrical device. They are the positive and negative terminal of the battery. Anode is a positively charged electrode while cathode is a negatively charged electrode.
Generally, anode is the terminal where the (conventional) current flows into a device from outside, while cathode is the terminal where (conventional) current flows out of the device. Hence in this article, we will show you the important difference between anode and cathode.
Anode is the electrode where electricity flows into. On the contrary, the cathode is the electrode where the electricity flows out of.
What is an Anode?
Anode is the type of electrode in the electric device that typically works as the positively charged terminal. The current flows into the device from outside in anode but when both the electrodes work in reverse polarity, the sequence may not remain the same.
However, in a galvanic cell, the anode is the electrode in which the current flows into the device; hence it is the negative terminal, but in an electrolytic cell, the anode is the electrode in which current flows from the external generator to the anode, that is why it is called the positive terminal in this case.
Anode is also the source of positive charge in the electric device that attracts the negative charge or anion or works as an electron acceptor.
Characteristics Of Anode:
Anode is the positively charged electrode.
It attracts electrons or anions.
Anode may also be a source of positive charge or an electron acceptor.
What is Cathode?
Cathode is the type of electrode in the electric device that typically works as the negatively charged terminal. In cathode, the current flows out of a device which means that electrons flow into this terminal from the outside.
The cathode’s current flow in the electric circuit with respect to the anode can either be positive or negative. It also attracts the positively charged cations, while the negatively charged anions stay away from it.
However, in a device like a battery that takes the energy, the cathode works as the negative electrode, while in the device like a discharging battery which provides the energy, the cathode works as positive electrode.
It should also be kept mentioned here that the electrode is the conductor through which electric current enters or leaves the device. In general, the flow of electrons is always from anode to cathode, notwithstanding the device type and operating mode.
Characteristics of Cathode:
Cathode is the negatively charged electrode.
It also attracts cations or positive charge.
It is the source of electrons or an electron donor. It may also accept positive charge.
Because the cathode may create electrons, which usually are the electrical species doing the actual movement, it may also be said that cathodes create charge or that current moves from the cathode to the anode. This can be so confusing because the direction of current would be defined by the way a positive charge would move. Just note that any movement of charged particles is current.
The Important Difference Between Anode and Cathode
1. Anode and cathode are actually the positive and negative terminal of a battery.
2. The anode is also the electrode where the electricity flows into it while the cathode is the electrode where the electricity flows out of it.
3. Cathode is electricity flowing out the electrode. It also has a large number of electrons.
4. In anode, the current flows into the device from outside. While in cathode the current flows out of a device which means that the electrons flow into this terminal from the outside.