Anode vs. Cathode

Main Difference
Both cathode and anode are the types of electrodes that show their specific responses within a magnetic or electric field. Actually both these electrodes are utilized for flowing current either into or out the electrical device. Anode or cathodes are the antonyms to each other that is why they can be easily differentiated. Although when both these electrodes work in reverse polarity it adds up confusion for the one. Anode is the type of electrode in an electrical device that usually works as positively charged terminal, on the other hand, cathode is the type of electrode in an electric device that usually works as negatively charged terminal. The flow of current within an electric device means the movement of electric charge. In anode the current flows into the device from outside, whereas in cathode current flows to outside of the device.

Difference Between Anode and Cathode

Anode vs. Cathode

Anode is the type of electrode in an electrical device that usually works as positively charged terminal, on the other hand, cathode is the type of electrode in an electric device that usually works as negatively charged terminal.

Anode vs. Cathode

In anode the current flows into the device from outside, whereas in cathode the current flows out of a device that means electrons flow into this terminal from the outside.

Anode vs. Cathode

Anode is the sources of positive charge in the electric device that attracts the negative charge or anion or works as an electron acceptor, whereas cathode attracts the positively charged cations, whereas the negatively charged anions stays away from it.

Anode vs. Cathode

In a device like battery which takes the energy, the cathode works as negative electrode, whereas in the device like discharging battery which provides the energy, the cathode works as positive electrode.

Anodenoun

(electricity) An electrode, of a cell or other electrically polarized device, through which a positive current of electricity flows inwards (and thus, electrons flow outwards). It can have either a negative or a positive voltage.

Cathodenoun

(electricity) An electrode, of a cell or other electrically polarized device, through which a positive current of electricity flows outwards (and thus, electrons flow inwards). It usually, but not always, has a positive voltage.

Anodenoun

The electrode at which chemical oxidation of anions takes place, usually resulting in the erosion of metal from the electrode.

Cathodenoun

The electrode at which chemical reduction of cations takes place, usually resulting in the deposition of metal onto the electrode.

Anodenoun

(electronics) The electrode which collects electrons emitted by the cathode in a vacuum tube or gas-filled tube.

Cathodenoun

(electronics) The electrode from which electrons are emitted into a vacuum tube or gas-filled tube.

Anodenoun

(electronics) That electrode of a semiconductor device which is connected to the p-type material of a p-n junction.

Cathodenoun

(electronics) That electrode of a semiconductor device which is connected to the n-type material of a p-n junction.

Anodenoun

a positively charged electrode by which electrons leave an electrical device

Cathodenoun

a negatively charged electrode that is the source of electrons in an electrical device

Anodenoun

the negatively charged terminal of a voltaic cell or storage battery that supplies current

Cathodenoun

the positively charged terminal of a voltaic cell or storage battery that supplies current

Comparison Chart

Anode	Cathode
Anode is the type of electrode in an electrical device that usually works as positively charged terminal.	Cathode is the type of electrode in an electric device that usually works as negatively charged terminal.
Current Flow
In anode the current flows into the device from outside.	In cathode the current flows out of a device that means electrons flow into this terminal from the outside.
Attracts
Anode is the sources of positive charge in the electric device that attracts the negative charge or anion or works as an electron acceptor.	Cathode attracts the positively charged cations, whereas the negatively charged anions stays away from it.

What is Anode?

Anode is the type of electrode in the electric device that usually works as the positively charged terminal. In anode the current flows into the device from outside, although when both the electrodes work in reverse polarity the sequence may not remain the same. In a galvanic cell, the anode is the electrode in which the current flows into the device, therefore it is the negative terminal, although in electrolytic cell, the anode is the electrode in which current flows from external generator to the anode, that is why it is the positive terminal in this case. Anode is the sources of positive charge in the electric device that attracts the negative charge or anion or works as an electron acceptor. It would be pertinent to mention here that the charge or (conventional) current can either flow from negative to positive or from positive to negative, so following this anode can either be the positively charged or the negatively charged.

What is Cathode?

Cathode is the type of electrode in the electric device that usually works as the negatively charged terminal. In cathode the current flows out of a device that means electrons flow into this terminal from the outside. Cathode’s current flow in the electric circuit with respect to anode can either be positive or negative. It attracts the positively charged cations, whereas the negatively charged anions stays away from it. In a device like battery which takes the energy, the cathode works as negative electrode, whereas in the device like discharging battery which provides the energy, the cathode works as positive electrode. It would be kept mention ed here that electrode is the conductors through which electric current enters or leaves the device. Generally the flow of electrons is always from anode to cathode, regardless the device type and operating mode.