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Difference between Anode and Cathode
Any electric circuit element or device has terminals for making connection in the circuit. These terminals of the element are also called electrodes of the element. The electrodes are classified in two types namely anode and cathode.
This article is meant for explaining the difference between anode and cathode. But, before discussing the difference, we should get the basics of anode and cathode so that the understanding of differences between them becomes easier.
What is Anode?
An electrode of a device such as cell, battery, diode, etc. where oxidation reaction (loss of electrons) occurs is known as anode. In simple words, we can define the anode as a terminal of the device at which the electrons leave the device.
Depending on the device, the anode may be positive or negative. For example, in case of a battery (delivers energy to the circuit), the anode is a negative terminal, while in case of a diode (consumes electrical energy), the anode is a positive terminal.
In any device, at the anode, the negative ions, called anions, react with the electrode material and give off electrons. These electrons now flow in the driving circuit.
What is Cathode?
An electrode of a device where reduction reaction (gain of electrons) takes place is called cathode. In simple terms, we can say a cathode is the electrode of a device through which the electrons enter into the device.
Like to the anode, the cathode may also be positively charged or negative charged based on the types of device. For example, in case of a device which delivers energy to the circuit such as battery (ex. galvanic cell), the cathode is the positive terminal. Whereas in case of a device which consumes electrical energy like diode, the cathode is a negative terminal.
Difference between Anode and Cathode
Both anode and cathode are the electrodes of a same electrical device. However, there are several differences between the anode and cathode, which are highlighted in the following table:
| Basis of Difference | Anode | Cathode |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Anode is an electrode of a device where oxidation reaction (loss of electrons) takes place. | Cathode is an electrode of a device where reduction reaction (gain of electrons) takes place. |
| Direction of electrons | Electrons always flow outward of the anode. | Electrons always enter into the cathode. |
| Type of reaction | The reduction reaction always occurs at the anode. | An oxidation reaction always takes place at the cathode. |
| Also called | Sometimes, the anode is also called as electron donor, as it always releases the electrons. | The cathode is also called an electron acceptor, as it always receives the electrons. |
| Polarity in a source device | In a device that acts as the source of electrical energy such as battery, the anode acts as a negative terminal. | In case of source device, the cathode acts as a positive terminal. |
| Polarity in a load device | For a device that acts as a load in a circuit such as diode, the anode acts as a positive terminal. | The cathode acts as a negative terminal for the load devices. |
| Polarity in electrolytic cell | In an electrolytic cell, the anode acts as a positive terminal. | The cathode of an electrolytic cell is a negative terminal. |
| Polarity in galvanic cell | The anode of a galvanic cell acts as a negative electrode | The cathode of a galvanic cell acts as a positive electrode. |
Conclusion
You should always keep in mind that the polarity of an anode or a cathode depends on the type of device. For example, the anode is a positive terminal for an electrolytic cell, whereas it is negative for a galvanic cell. Therefore, one must not assume that the anode is positive and cathode is negative. The most significant difference between an anode and a cathode is that the anode is the terminal where loss of electrons takes place, while the cathode is the terminal at which gain of electrons occurs.
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