Alternatively, the electrode at which current moves into the device is called the anode. The significant differences between anode and cathode are listed in the table given below: Key Anode Cathode Definition Anode is an electrode of an electronic device where electrons leave the device. Whereas, in the case of battery, the cathode is positive as electrons entering into the battery through this terminal.Īfter getting the insights about anode and cathode, let us now discuss the key differences between anode and cathode. For the diode, the cathode is a negative terminal/electrode, because it is the point at which electrons enter to the diode. Again refer to the circuit shown in figure above.

Similar to the anode, the cathode can be of different polarity depending upon the nature of the device. In other words, the cathode is the electrode of the device where electrons enter the device. Hence, at the cathode, there is a gain of electrons. Cathode is the electrode where reduction takes place. What is Cathode?Ĭathode is another terminal or electrode of an electronic device. This is because, in the case of a diode, electrons leave the diode at the positive terminal, while in the case of the battery, electrons leave the battery at the negative electrode. Here, for the diode, an anode is a positive electrode, whereas, for the battery, the anode is negative. For example, consider the electric circuit shown in the figure. However, the polarity of anode could be positive or negative depending upon the nature of device. In simple words, the anode is the electrode of the device where electrons leave the device. Hence, the anode is the terminal where the loss of electrons takes place. What is Anode?Īnode is a terminal/electrode of an electronic device like a cell or diode, at which oxidation takes place. Now, let us discuss the anode and cathode in more detail. The fundamental difference between an anode and a cathode is that the anode is the electrode of a device where the loss of electrons happens, whereas the cathode is the electrode of a device where the gain of electrons takes place. Based on the polarity and property, electrodes are classified into two types namely anode and cathode. The electrode is part of an electrical or electronic device that is employed for making connections between devices in the circuit. These two terms are basically used to represent the electrodes of the devices. we come across the terms anode and cathode. When we talk about electronic devices such as batteries, cells, diodes, etc. But before that let us know a bit about the anode and cathode individually. In this article, we will discuss the important differences between anode and cathode.

Sic diode anode cathode