What does the negative lead of a LED correspond to in standard current flow theories?

The negative lead of an LED corresponds to electron departure based on standard current flow theories. In these theories, current is conventionally considered to flow from positive to negative. However, in reality, it is the electrons that flow from the negative terminal to the positive terminal of a power source.

When the LED is reverse-biased or when the component is in a non-conductive state, electrons are effectively ‘departing’ from the negative lead. This departure happens as electrons move through the LED from the n-type layer (where the negative lead is connected) toward the p-type layer and into the external circuit completing the circuit back to the positive terminal of the power supply.

Understanding this relationship is crucial for grasping the operation of LEDs and semiconductor devices, as it illustrates how electron movement correlates with conventional current flow versus actual electron flow.