Anod

Anod is a term that may be encountered in several contexts, but it is most commonly a misspelling or alternate transliteration of anode, the electrode through which conventional current flows into an electrical device. In many languages, anod or a similar form is used to mean anode in translations, though the standard English spelling is anode.

In electrochemistry, the anode is defined as the electrode at which oxidation occurs. In galvanic (voltaic) cells, oxidation takes place at the anode and electrons flow out of the cell through the external circuit to the cathode; the anode is typically the negative terminal. In electrolytic cells, where electrical energy drives the reaction, the anode is the electrode connected to the positive terminal and remains the site of oxidation as well. The distinction between galvanic and electrolytic contexts is a matter of whether the cell is generating electricity or consuming it, not a difference in the fundamental chemical process at the anode.

In devices such as diodes and vacuum tubes, the anode is the positive electrode toward which current is directed; terminology can vary by device type and historical convention. The term derives from Greek anodos, meaning a way up or ascent, reflecting its early use in describing the direction of current flow relative to the electrode arrangement.

Etymology and usage: The standard spelling in English is the anode. In some languages or technical contexts, anod may appear as a transliteration or variant; when encountered, it should be cross-checked with the local terminology. See also cathode, electrochemistry, and electrical terminology.