electron flow

Movement of electrons through a material; the flow of negatively-charged electrons is known as an electric current.

Electrons can be removed from the outer orbits of atoms by various techniques such as chemical reactions, friction, light, heat, pressure, or magnetism. Electrons in a circuit of a conducting material under the influence of an electromotive force will move towards a point in the circuit that has a shortage of electrons. In other words, the flow is from a place of excess electrons (negative terminal) to a place where there is a deficit of electrons (positive terminal). This cycle of electrons flowing from a negative terminal towards a positive terminal is known as electron flow.

In electrolysis, the electrode towards which electrons move is called the anode (positively charged) and the electrode away from which electrons move is called the cathode (negatively charged).