Final answer:
The cathode of a Zener diode in a voltage regulator is normally more positive than the anode when it is operating in its intended breakdown or Zener region, which is used for maintaining a stable voltage.
Step-by-step explanation:
The cathode of a Zener diode in a voltage regulator is normally more positive than the anode. This is the case when the Zener diode is operating in its breakdown or Zener region, which is its intended mode of operation in voltage regulation applications. When a Zener diode is connected in reverse bias and the voltage across it exceeds the Zener breakdown voltage, it will conduct current from the anode to the cathode, hence maintaining a stable voltage across it. It's worth noting that in an electrochemical context, the anode and cathode have different meanings, as the anode is negative and the cathode is positive in a galvanic cell, but this is flipped in an electrolytic cell.