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/ˈænəd/
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/ˈænəd/
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/ˈænəd/
🇬🇧
/ˈænəd/
Plural
anodes
An anode is the electrode where oxidation (loss of electrons) occurs and through which conventional current flows *into* an electrical device like a battery, electrolytic cell, or diode. Think of it as the 'electron exit point' — in a discharging battery, it's the negative terminal; in an electrolytic cell (like electroplating), it's the positive terminal where metal dissolves or oxygen forms.
In a zinc-carbon battery, the zinc can serves as the anode and gradually corrodes during use.
During aluminum anodization, the aluminum part is made the anode to grow a protective oxide layer.
Electrons flow from the anode to the cathode through the external circuit in a galvanic cell.
Corrosion engineers often install sacrificial anodes made of magnesium near steel pipelines to prevent rust.
Lithium-ion batteries commonly use graphite as the anode material because it can intercalate lithium ions efficiently.
anod-
Comes from the Greek prefix 'an-' (meaning 'up', 'out', or 'toward') combined with 'hodos' (ἡ ὁδός), meaning 'way' or 'path'. In electrochemical terminology, 'anode' literally signifies 'the way up' or 'the upward path' — reflecting the direction of conventional current flow into the device (from external circuit) and the path outward for electrons (i.e., where oxidation occurs and electrons exit the device). Examples include anode, cathode (from 'kata-', meaning 'down'), electrode, electrolysis.