Final answer:
The phrase "positive to positive negative to ground" is false. Proper jump starting involves connecting the positives of both batteries and the negative to the working battery and to ground, away from the battery to avoid sparks.
Step-by-step explanation:
The phrase "positive to positive negative to ground" is often used when describing the proper method for jump starting a car. This phrase is false. When jump starting, you should connect the positive cable to the positive terminal of the dead battery and the positive terminal of the working battery. Then you connect the negative cable to the negative terminal of the working battery and the other end to an unpainted metal surface on the engine block or chassis of the car with the dead battery, which serves as the grounding point. This is done to minimize the risk of sparks near the battery, which could potentially cause a battery explosion due to flammable gases that might be present.
It is important to note that electrons actually flow from the negative terminal to the positive terminal. In terms of potential, the positive terminal is at a higher voltage than the negative terminal. When a battery is charged, the charger reverses the normal direction of current through the battery, replenishing its chemical potential.