The History of Electric Batteries

Introduction

• Electricity in the 18th century: A curiosity.
• Electricity in the 19th century: Crucial for science and industry.
• Alessandro Volta (1800): Invented the electric battery — a transformative development.

Demonstration of a Lemon Battery

• Components: Zinc nail, copper nail, lemon.
• Measurement: Connected to a galvanometer showing just under 1 volt.
• Issues: Lemon doesn't produce enough current to run a motor; current is very slow.
• Solution: Store in a capacitor (modern-day Leiden jar) to gather enough charge to run a motor.

Basic Principles of Electric Batteries

• Creating Metal from Scratch:
  • Positive ions and electrons in an orderly lattice = piece of metal.
  • No change in potential energy inside or outside metal; electron mobility within metal.
  • Work function: Energy needed for an electron to escape the metal surface.

Historical Context: Alessandro Volta

• Electrophorus (1775): Invented the electrophorus, generating perpetual electricity.
• Scientific Journey: Visited various countries, widely recognized and celebrated.
• Volta vs. Galvani:
  • Luigi Galvani: Proposed animal electricity based on frog leg muscle contractions.
  • Volta's Theory: Ordinary electricity generated by contact between different metals.

Voltaic Pile: World’s First Electric Battery

• Construction: Layers of silver and zinc with moistened pasteboard as electrolyte.
• Recognition: Hailed by contemporaries, including Napoleon Bonaparte.

Modern Electric Batteries

• Components and Manufacturing:
  • Coating lead plates with mud paste (lead oxide, acid, water).
  • Assembling, filling with sulfuric acid, and final transformation.
• Reversible Batteries: Discoveries by Rimal Planter using identical metals driven by voltage—basis for lead-acid batteries.
• Automobile Battery: Foundation of modern vehicle start systems.

Demonstration Conclusion

• Lemon Battery Success: Stored charge used to run an electric motor.

Final Note

• Volta’s Legacy: Contributions still relevant today in various applications.

To Remember

• Alessandro Volta: Pioneered the electric battery, and his innovations continue to impact modern technology.