Voltaic pile
The Voltaic Pile was invented by Alessandro Volta in 1800. Volta demonstrated that when metals and chemicals come into contact with each other they can produce an electrical current. In his research, Volta placed together several pairs of alternating copper (or silver) and zinc discs separated by cloth and soaked the cloth in brine (eg., salt water) to increase conductivity. An electrical current was produced in this fashion and was the first chemical battery. On March 20, 1800, Volta wrote to the London Royal Society the technique for producing electrical effect via his piles.
William Nicholson and Anthony Carlisle discovered electrolysis of water with the Voltaic pile. Humphry Davy showed electricity from Voltaic Piles were caused by the chemical reaction (not differentials between metals theretofore believe). Davy also used the Voltaic pile to decompose and discover materials.
See also
External links and references
- Dibner, Bern, "". Alessandro Volta and the Electric Battery. Franklin Watts, Inc., 1964.
- "". IEEE Milestones, IEEE History Center.
- "". Association for Overseas Technical Scholarship.
- "". Electricity. Kenyon.edu.
- " (c. 1800)". Professor Taylor's Ohm Page Featuring Grade Sheets & Less Important Matters.
- Lewis, Nancy D., "".
- Lewis, Nancy D., "".
- ". How Batteries Work. HowStuffWorks, Inc. 2004.
- "". SCICON 2002.
