/-/https/www.sciencebuddies.org/cdn/Files/21464/5/sb-logo.png){kind=logo}
/-/https/www.sciencebuddies.org/cdn/Files/21464/5/sb-logo.png){kind=logo}
Microbial Fuel Cells
Moderators: kgudger, bfinio, MadelineB, Moderators
-
flutegirl1
- Posts: 3
- Joined: Sat Sep 21, 2013 11:55 am
- Occupation: Student
- Project Question: Microbial Fuel Cell
- Project Due Date: 1-6-14
- Project Status: I am finished with my experiment and analyzing the data
Microbial Fuel Cells
Is the anode in a Microbial Fuel Cell positively or negatively charged? Is the cathode then the opposite charge of the anode?
-
deleted-139256
- Former Expert
- Posts: 30
- Joined: Fri Dec 14, 2007 4:38 pm
Re: Microbial Fuel Cells
Hi,
Good question related to a somewhat confusing topic. I think the cleanest answer to your question is that the anode is the conducting object into which electric current flows (this, due to a confusing convention, means electrons flow out of it.) A quick look on Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anode reveals that "the anode is positive in a device that consumes power, and the anode is negative in a device that provides power: ..." as explained in the examples. So if your microbial fuel cell is basically functioning like a discharging battery, the anode is negative. In which case, the cathode would be positive.
Looks like you have the start of an interesting project. Let us know if you have any further questions!
Good question related to a somewhat confusing topic. I think the cleanest answer to your question is that the anode is the conducting object into which electric current flows (this, due to a confusing convention, means electrons flow out of it.) A quick look on Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anode reveals that "the anode is positive in a device that consumes power, and the anode is negative in a device that provides power: ..." as explained in the examples. So if your microbial fuel cell is basically functioning like a discharging battery, the anode is negative. In which case, the cathode would be positive.
Looks like you have the start of an interesting project. Let us know if you have any further questions!