cathode
Meaning: The negatively charged electrode through which conventional electric current flows out of a device; in electrolysis, the electrode at which reduction occurs.
The cathode is the counterpart to the anode in any electrochemical cell. During electrolysis, positive ions (cations) migrate to the cathode, where they gain electrons and are reduced. In a discharging battery, the cathode is the positive terminal. The 'cathode ray tube' (CRT) — once ubiquitous in televisions — generated images by firing electron beams from a cathode onto a phosphorescent screen. In modern technology, cathode materials are critical to battery performance, with research focusing on lithium-iron-phosphate and nickel-manganese-cobalt cathodes.
Examples
- Copper ions in the solution are deposited as pure metal on the cathode during the electrorefining process. 在电解精炼过程中,溶液中的铜离子以纯金属的形式沉积在阴极上。Los iones de cobre en la solución se depositan como metal puro sobre el cátodo durante el proceso de electrorefinación.電解精製の過程で、溶液中の銅イオンが純金属としてカソードに析出する。전해 정련 과정에서 용액 중의 구리 이온이 순수 금속으로 음극(cathode)에 석출된다.
- The performance of a lithium-ion battery depends heavily on the composition of its cathode material. 锂离子电池的性能在很大程度上取决于其阴极材料的组成。El rendimiento de una batería de iones de litio depende en gran medida de la composición de su material catódico.リチウムイオン電池の性能は、カソード材料の組成に大きく左右される。리튬이온 배터리의 성능은 음극 재료의 조성에 크게 좌우된다.
- Before flat screens, television sets relied on cathode ray tubes that were bulky, heavy, and consumed considerable power. 在平板屏幕出现之前,电视机依赖的阴极射线管体积庞大、重量沉重,且耗电量相当大。Antes de las pantallas planas, los televisores dependían de tubos de rayos catódicos que eran voluminosos, pesados y consumían una energía considerable.フラットスクリーン以前、テレビはかさばり、重く、かなりの電力を消費するブラウン管に依存していた。평면 스크린 이전에 텔레비전은 부피가 크고 무거우며 상당한 전력을 소비하는 브라운관(음극선관)에 의존했다.
Pronunciation
Usage Guide
Context: science, engineering, academic
Tone: neutral
Origin & History
Coined by Michael Faraday in 1834 from Greek kathodos (a descent, a way down), from kata (down) and hodos (way, path), referring to the direction of conventional current flow.
Cultural Context
Era: Modern
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
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