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cathode
[kath-ohd]
noun
the electrode or terminal by which current leaves an electrolytic cell, voltaic cell, battery, etc.
the positive terminal of a voltaic cell or battery.
the negative terminal, electrode, or element of an electron tube or electrolytic cell.
cathode
/ kæˈθɒdɪk, -ˈθəʊ-, ˈkæθəʊd, kæˈθəʊdəl /
noun
the negative electrode in an electrolytic cell; the electrode by which electrons enter a device from an external circuit
the negatively charged electron source in an electronic valve
the positive terminal of a primary cell
cathode
The negative electrode in an electrolytic cell, toward which positively charged particles are attracted. The cathode has a negative charge because it is connected to the negatively charged end of an external power supply.
The source of electrons in an electrical device, such as a vacuum tube or diode.
The positive electrode of a voltaic cell, such as a battery. The cathode gets its positive charge from the chemical reaction that happens inside the battery, not from an external source.
Compare anode
Other Word Forms
- cathodal adjective
Word History and Origins
Origin of cathode1
Word History and Origins
Origin of cathode1
Example Sentences
Breaking the battery’s anodes and cathodes reduces the batteries to what EPA workers call, semi-seriously, “not a battery.”
Lithium-ion batteries are set to become even more powerful with new materials for the cathodes.
Additionally, when lithium grows in one direction, it can reach the cathode on the opposite side, causing an internal short circuit.
A battery consists of two electrodes -- the anode and cathode, typically made of different materials -- as well as a separator and electrolyte, a chemical medium that allows for the flow of electrical charge.
However, cathode materials of this type have a problem.
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