Inside a device or a cell, positively charged cations always move towards the cathode and negatively charged anions move towards the anode, although cathode polarity depends on the device type, and can even vary according to the operating mode. The electrode through which conventional current flows the other way, into the device, is termed an anode.Ĭonventional current flows from cathode to anode outside of the cell or device (with electrons moving in the opposite direction), regardless of the cell or device type and operating mode.Ĭathode polarity with respect to the anode can be positive or negative depending on how the device is being operated. For example, the end of a household battery marked with a + (plus) is the cathode. Consequently, the mnemonic cathode current departs also means that electrons flow into the device's cathode from the external circuit.
Electrons have a negative electrical charge, so the movement of electrons is opposite to that of the conventional current flow. A conventional current describes the direction in which positive charges move. This definition can be recalled by using the mnemonic CCD for Cathode Current Departs. Positively charged cations move towards the cathode allowing a positive current i to flow out of the cathode.Ī cathode is the electrode from which a conventional current leaves a polarized electrical device. Electrode where reduction takes place Diagram of a copper cathode in a galvanic cell (e.g., a battery).
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