CATHODE

A site in electrolysis where cations in solution are neutralized by electrons that plate out on the surface or produce a secondary reaction with water. Cathodes are negatively charged metal electrodesA cathode is a negatively charged metal electrode from which conventional current travels in a polarized electrical device. It attracts positive charge or cations. The behavior of the cathode is the opposite to that of an anode. In a polarized electrical device, a cathode is considered the electron donor or the source of electrons. A cathode is a negatively charged electrode. However, the polarity of the cathode with respect to anode can either be negative or positive, and it largely depends on the operation of the device. For example, in a recharging battery the cathode is negative. However in the case of discharging a battery, the cathode polarity is positive. In general, in a device the cathode is the terminal from which the current flows out, whereas the anode is the terminal from which the current flows in from outside.