Question

The multicolor LED in your kit is a common cathode one. This LED has four pins - cathode (or, negative terminal) is the longest and common pin.

Option 1: Positive terminal
Option 2: Shortest pin
Option 3: Common cathode
Option 4: Anode

Answer 1

In a common cathode multicolor LED, the longest pin is the common negative terminal or cathode. Anode refers to the positive terminal, and in electronics, correct identification of anode and cathode is crucial.

Step-by-step explanation:

The common cathode in a multicolor LED refers to the shared negative terminal across the various colors within the LED. The longest pin on a common cathode LED typically identifies this common negative terminal. The terms anode and cathode are essential in understanding electrical components; the anode is the positive terminal, and the cathode is the negative terminal. For instance, in a lead-acid battery, the cathode is connected to a lead oxide plate and is the positive terminal, whereas the anode is the negative terminal connected to a lead plate. When connecting an LED to a power source like a battery, proper identification and connection of the anode and cathode are crucial to ensure the LED functions correctly. Understanding the characteristics of common electrical components is fundamental in electronics education.