
ANODE
The galvanized zinc-plated nails are the anode
in our battery. They have high-energy electrons
that are removed from the zinc atoms, carried up
the nail, and into the wire. These electrons will
spend some of their energy to light up the LED.
The process of losing these electrons is called
oxidation. In our batteries, the anode is labeled
with the negative (–) sign.
In a lithium-ion battery, lithium atoms in
graphite (carbon) are often used as the anode,
the source of our high-energy electrons.
CATHODE
The copper nails are the cathode in our battery.
In the sports drink, there are some number
of H+ ions in the solution, from the acids in ...