CATHODE

Cathode

Cathode polarity is not always negative. Although positively charged cations always move towards the cathode and negatively charged anions move away from it, cathode polarity depends on the device type, and can even vary according to the operating mode. In a device which consumes power, the cathode is negative, and in a device which provides power, the cathode is positive:

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cathode

Noun

  1. An electrode, of a cell or other electrically polarized device, through which a current of electricity flows inwards (and thus, electrons flow outwards). It usually, but not always, has a negative voltage.
  2. The electrode at which chemical reduction of cations takes place, usually resulting in the deposition of metal onto the electrode.
  3. The electrode from which electrons are emitted into a or .
  4. That electrode of a semiconductor device which is connected to the n-type material of a p-n junction.


The above text is a snippet from Wiktionary: cathode
and as such is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

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