What would life be like if we didn’t have batteries? Our lives wouldn’t be like they are now; with no laptops, phones, and so many other devices. Alessandro Volta had the greatest global impact because he invented the electrophorus and the battery, thus powering and making mobile all the devices on which modern society has become dependant. If he wasn’t so important, then why would the unit for electromotive force be named after him?
Alessandro Giuseppe Antonio Anastasio Volta was born on February 18, 1745, in Como, Lombardy, Italy. He was a physicist, and the professor of physics at the University of Pavia. He was also a professor at the Royal School of Como. Volta is best known for his invention of the voltaic pile, also known as the electric battery; but he also invented the electrophore, an early version of the capacitor, and the electrophorus. Alessandro Volta died March 5, 1827 in Como; his birthplace.
The electrical age, when most of the discoveries about electricity and magnetism were made, mostly happened around 1600 and 1800. In 1600, William Gilbert worked with magnetism. For his experiments he created the first electrical instrument, the pivoted electroscope. Gilbert informed others about his knowledge in a book, starting the electrical age. In 1660, Otto von Guericke made the first electrical machine. This machine was a sulfur ball that could repel and attract lightweight objects. The next big discovery wasn’t until 1752, when Benjamin Franklin performed his experiment with a kite in a thunderstorm. Many believe that electricity all has to do with Franklin, but that’s not true. Franklin put apart the two kinds of electricity; while Volta found how to use electricity in a continuous current. One of Volta’s inventions were based off of the leydon jar, the leydon jar was invented by E.G. von Kleist. It was the instrument that the electrophore was based off of. Volta’s version was an improved version. In the early 1800s electrical experiments were considered entertainment; experiments were performed often at festivals and scientific gatherings, and even in front of royalty! In the early 1800’s Napoleon made Volta a Count. A count is the equivalent of an earl, which is the English and Irish form; therefore a count was a high honor. Alessandro Volta lived in Italy, which was held by France from about 1796-1814. Volta taught at Pavia when it wasn’t closed because of political problems, which would have had to do with France conquering Italy. But the one discovery that really set Volta off was Luigi Galvani’s animal electricity. Galvani was another Italian professor, who found that if you touched a charged plate to a frog, it muscles would contract. Galvani concluded that the frog must have electricity contained in it. He made this discovery in 1791. But of course, Volta had other ideas; he thought that it was the combination of two different metals and water that had created the charge. “Each metal has a certain power, which is different from metal to metal, of setting the electric fluid in motion,” Alessandro Volta- quoted in (Count Alessandro Giuseppe Antonio Anastasio Volta. “Today in Science History.”)
Volta used these thoughts, of the two metals and liquid creating a charge, to make his famous voltaic pile. The voltaic pile was an early version of the electric battery, also known as the electric cell. It used zinc and copper alternating, and in between each piece of metal was a piece of cardboard soaked with salt-water. a battery isn’t just one cell, it is many cells linked together with wires, therefore it can be referred to as “stringing a current”; and that was what Volta did, and he was the first to do so. He connected two of these piles with wires, and they were then able to hold a charge for a good amount of time. But the voltaic pile isn’t the only invention of Volta’s,he also made an instrument called the electrophorus. The electrophorus was an instrument that generated static electricity, and was made in 1775. Alessandro Volta is also responsible for the discovery of isolated methane. It was in 1776 when he collected the gas, which he found at Lake Maggiore, after he noticed it bubbling to the surface of the water. He later found that it was inflammable, and therefore he called it “inflammable air from marshlands.” Another device, the electric-pholoneumatic pistol, was another invention of Volta’s. It’s better known by the name of Volta’s pistol. It was filled with hydrogen, before being corked up;. It had two “trigger spheres”, one of which was touched with a hand, and the other which was touched with a charged electrophorus. It was then able to gather enough energy to forcefully blow off the cork.
Alessandro Volta’s contributions affected society in many good ways. Such as; when he discovered isolated methane, he discovered the gas that is cheaper and more efficient to use for energy than other alternative fuels. Also, his electrophorus, although similar to others’ past inventions, was the first to work without needing to be rubbed against constantly. When Volta taught at Pavia and the Royal School of Como, he also was able to share his knowledge; giving the next generation the thoughts, ideas, and knowledge they would need for the future. The internal combustion engine is used to power cars, boats, airplanes, and modern trains; and Volta’s pistol is what lead to this engine. And then of course, there’s Alessandro Volta’s battery. So many things are influenced by batteries, so many things that it would take forever to name them all. And although we don’t use his original battery, and we have an improved battery; he is responsible for the scientific discovery that allows us to create batteries. Batteries truly allow us to be mobile; not only using cars and other actual transportation methods, but also for mobile entertainment and devices. Volta influenced our world so much that the unit of electromotive force was named in his honor, the Volt. As Sir Joseph Banks said when awarding Volta the Copely Medal, “The experiments of Professor Galvani, until commented on by Professor Volta, had too much astonished, and perhaps, in some degree, perplexed many of the learned in various parts of Europe. To Professor Volta was reserved the merit of bringing his countryman's experiments to the test of sound reasoning and accurate investigation; he has explained them to Dr. Galvani himself and to the whole of Europe, with infinite acuteness of judgement and solidity of argument;and through the medium of the philosophical transactions he has taught us that the various phenomena which prevented themselves under the modifications of Dr. Galvani's experiments hitherto tried, are wholly owing to the excessive irritability of the nerves when subjected to the actions of proportions of the electric fluid, too minute to be discovered, even by the delicate electrometer of our ingenious brother, Mr. Bennet of Worksworth; and he has detected in the metals, which Dr. Galvani considered as mere agents in conducting his animal electricity, that very existing principle which the doctor and his followers had overlooked." (Alessandro Volta and the Electric Battery, Bern Dibner.)
But Alessandro Volta was so much more important than just that. Not only did he have positive impact but he truly had global impact. The electric battery had global impact, it’s one of the most important inventions. It gave scientists new ideas, it gave power, and it set off the electrical age for the second time. And to think of all the uses of a battery; home, science, medical, entertainment, and transportation uses. At home; radios, electronic games, iPods, iPads, computers, and simple things like watches; are all uses on a regular basis. In transportation; cars run on batteries, and airplanes use batteries for radios and other devices needed for a safe flight. In science we use batteries to power powerful magnifying glasses and telescopes, as well as any equipment needed to use the telescope. For healthcare and medical uses; portable x-ray machines, electrocardiograph machines, and many other medical instruments use batteries. Some LED even run on batteries. And what if Alessandro Volta hadn’t invented the battery? What if the battery didn’t exist? Nicholson and Anthony Carlisle certainly couldn’t have used a battery to find that water wasn’t an element. Scientists wouldn’t have a safe and dependable source of energy to use in experiments or to study electricity with. It was the batteries continuous source of energy that allowed scientists to study electricity properly. And on top of all of this, Alessandro Volta was the one who was able to show how energy could be transferred, using wires.
In the future batteries will still be just as important, if not, more important. All cars will probably run on batteries someday. This will keep our environment healthier and in better shape, and make it easier to preserve our environment; as cars that are powered by gas create CO2, which is harmful to our environment. Airplanes may also run on batteries in the future. Airplanes currently run on gas, although some equipment on planes do use batteries. If airplanes were to run on batteries in the future, it would make them quieter and more environmentally efficient. Also, medical advancements may be made. things like pumps and meters for diabetics may be improved because of battery advancements. In 1920 2% of the United States’ power was used for electricity, now around 41% of our power is used for electricity. Batteries will therefore continue to be really important to us, and continue to make our lives easier and more energy and environmentally efficient. The modern world has really become dependant on so many things that rely on batteries. Even the smallest things that run on batteries we use daily.
Alessandro Volta once said, “The language of experiment is more authoritative than any reasoning: facts can destroy our ratiocination—not vice versa.”(Count Alessandro Giuseppe Antonio Anastasio Volta. “Today in Science History.”) Meaning that experiments are more accurate than explanations, and that facts rule out opinions and judgements. You can tell that the man who stated this was a man who made great discoveries in his lifetime. A man who truly changed the world for the better. Alessandro Volta was such a positive influence on the world; with his voltaic pile, his discovery of isolated methane, his electrophore, his electrophorus, and his teaching and spreading of knowledge. Alessandro Volta was truly one of the most influential people ever to live.
Alessandro Giuseppe Antonio Anastasio Volta was born on February 18, 1745, in Como, Lombardy, Italy. He was a physicist, and the professor of physics at the University of Pavia. He was also a professor at the Royal School of Como. Volta is best known for his invention of the voltaic pile, also known as the electric battery; but he also invented the electrophore, an early version of the capacitor, and the electrophorus. Alessandro Volta died March 5, 1827 in Como; his birthplace.
The electrical age, when most of the discoveries about electricity and magnetism were made, mostly happened around 1600 and 1800. In 1600, William Gilbert worked with magnetism. For his experiments he created the first electrical instrument, the pivoted electroscope. Gilbert informed others about his knowledge in a book, starting the electrical age. In 1660, Otto von Guericke made the first electrical machine. This machine was a sulfur ball that could repel and attract lightweight objects. The next big discovery wasn’t until 1752, when Benjamin Franklin performed his experiment with a kite in a thunderstorm. Many believe that electricity all has to do with Franklin, but that’s not true. Franklin put apart the two kinds of electricity; while Volta found how to use electricity in a continuous current. One of Volta’s inventions were based off of the leydon jar, the leydon jar was invented by E.G. von Kleist. It was the instrument that the electrophore was based off of. Volta’s version was an improved version. In the early 1800s electrical experiments were considered entertainment; experiments were performed often at festivals and scientific gatherings, and even in front of royalty! In the early 1800’s Napoleon made Volta a Count. A count is the equivalent of an earl, which is the English and Irish form; therefore a count was a high honor. Alessandro Volta lived in Italy, which was held by France from about 1796-1814. Volta taught at Pavia when it wasn’t closed because of political problems, which would have had to do with France conquering Italy. But the one discovery that really set Volta off was Luigi Galvani’s animal electricity. Galvani was another Italian professor, who found that if you touched a charged plate to a frog, it muscles would contract. Galvani concluded that the frog must have electricity contained in it. He made this discovery in 1791. But of course, Volta had other ideas; he thought that it was the combination of two different metals and water that had created the charge. “Each metal has a certain power, which is different from metal to metal, of setting the electric fluid in motion,” Alessandro Volta- quoted in (Count Alessandro Giuseppe Antonio Anastasio Volta. “Today in Science History.”)
Volta used these thoughts, of the two metals and liquid creating a charge, to make his famous voltaic pile. The voltaic pile was an early version of the electric battery, also known as the electric cell. It used zinc and copper alternating, and in between each piece of metal was a piece of cardboard soaked with salt-water. a battery isn’t just one cell, it is many cells linked together with wires, therefore it can be referred to as “stringing a current”; and that was what Volta did, and he was the first to do so. He connected two of these piles with wires, and they were then able to hold a charge for a good amount of time. But the voltaic pile isn’t the only invention of Volta’s,he also made an instrument called the electrophorus. The electrophorus was an instrument that generated static electricity, and was made in 1775. Alessandro Volta is also responsible for the discovery of isolated methane. It was in 1776 when he collected the gas, which he found at Lake Maggiore, after he noticed it bubbling to the surface of the water. He later found that it was inflammable, and therefore he called it “inflammable air from marshlands.” Another device, the electric-pholoneumatic pistol, was another invention of Volta’s. It’s better known by the name of Volta’s pistol. It was filled with hydrogen, before being corked up;. It had two “trigger spheres”, one of which was touched with a hand, and the other which was touched with a charged electrophorus. It was then able to gather enough energy to forcefully blow off the cork.
Alessandro Volta’s contributions affected society in many good ways. Such as; when he discovered isolated methane, he discovered the gas that is cheaper and more efficient to use for energy than other alternative fuels. Also, his electrophorus, although similar to others’ past inventions, was the first to work without needing to be rubbed against constantly. When Volta taught at Pavia and the Royal School of Como, he also was able to share his knowledge; giving the next generation the thoughts, ideas, and knowledge they would need for the future. The internal combustion engine is used to power cars, boats, airplanes, and modern trains; and Volta’s pistol is what lead to this engine. And then of course, there’s Alessandro Volta’s battery. So many things are influenced by batteries, so many things that it would take forever to name them all. And although we don’t use his original battery, and we have an improved battery; he is responsible for the scientific discovery that allows us to create batteries. Batteries truly allow us to be mobile; not only using cars and other actual transportation methods, but also for mobile entertainment and devices. Volta influenced our world so much that the unit of electromotive force was named in his honor, the Volt. As Sir Joseph Banks said when awarding Volta the Copely Medal, “The experiments of Professor Galvani, until commented on by Professor Volta, had too much astonished, and perhaps, in some degree, perplexed many of the learned in various parts of Europe. To Professor Volta was reserved the merit of bringing his countryman's experiments to the test of sound reasoning and accurate investigation; he has explained them to Dr. Galvani himself and to the whole of Europe, with infinite acuteness of judgement and solidity of argument;and through the medium of the philosophical transactions he has taught us that the various phenomena which prevented themselves under the modifications of Dr. Galvani's experiments hitherto tried, are wholly owing to the excessive irritability of the nerves when subjected to the actions of proportions of the electric fluid, too minute to be discovered, even by the delicate electrometer of our ingenious brother, Mr. Bennet of Worksworth; and he has detected in the metals, which Dr. Galvani considered as mere agents in conducting his animal electricity, that very existing principle which the doctor and his followers had overlooked." (Alessandro Volta and the Electric Battery, Bern Dibner.)
But Alessandro Volta was so much more important than just that. Not only did he have positive impact but he truly had global impact. The electric battery had global impact, it’s one of the most important inventions. It gave scientists new ideas, it gave power, and it set off the electrical age for the second time. And to think of all the uses of a battery; home, science, medical, entertainment, and transportation uses. At home; radios, electronic games, iPods, iPads, computers, and simple things like watches; are all uses on a regular basis. In transportation; cars run on batteries, and airplanes use batteries for radios and other devices needed for a safe flight. In science we use batteries to power powerful magnifying glasses and telescopes, as well as any equipment needed to use the telescope. For healthcare and medical uses; portable x-ray machines, electrocardiograph machines, and many other medical instruments use batteries. Some LED even run on batteries. And what if Alessandro Volta hadn’t invented the battery? What if the battery didn’t exist? Nicholson and Anthony Carlisle certainly couldn’t have used a battery to find that water wasn’t an element. Scientists wouldn’t have a safe and dependable source of energy to use in experiments or to study electricity with. It was the batteries continuous source of energy that allowed scientists to study electricity properly. And on top of all of this, Alessandro Volta was the one who was able to show how energy could be transferred, using wires.
In the future batteries will still be just as important, if not, more important. All cars will probably run on batteries someday. This will keep our environment healthier and in better shape, and make it easier to preserve our environment; as cars that are powered by gas create CO2, which is harmful to our environment. Airplanes may also run on batteries in the future. Airplanes currently run on gas, although some equipment on planes do use batteries. If airplanes were to run on batteries in the future, it would make them quieter and more environmentally efficient. Also, medical advancements may be made. things like pumps and meters for diabetics may be improved because of battery advancements. In 1920 2% of the United States’ power was used for electricity, now around 41% of our power is used for electricity. Batteries will therefore continue to be really important to us, and continue to make our lives easier and more energy and environmentally efficient. The modern world has really become dependant on so many things that rely on batteries. Even the smallest things that run on batteries we use daily.
Alessandro Volta once said, “The language of experiment is more authoritative than any reasoning: facts can destroy our ratiocination—not vice versa.”(Count Alessandro Giuseppe Antonio Anastasio Volta. “Today in Science History.”) Meaning that experiments are more accurate than explanations, and that facts rule out opinions and judgements. You can tell that the man who stated this was a man who made great discoveries in his lifetime. A man who truly changed the world for the better. Alessandro Volta was such a positive influence on the world; with his voltaic pile, his discovery of isolated methane, his electrophore, his electrophorus, and his teaching and spreading of knowledge. Alessandro Volta was truly one of the most influential people ever to live.