Alessandro Volt Luigi Galvani's Theory Of Battery

Pietro Russolo

Science Y10

John Charters

6/11/15

Alessandro Volta

Alessandro Volta, born on February 18th, 1875 in Como, Lombardia, Italy, was a physicist and chemist. He was known for creating the first electric battery, which in the 1800s was referred to as the “voltaic pile”, though now known as a “cell” in scientific terms. Alessandro Volta did not initially set out to create a battery, but carried out experiments in order to prove that another Italian scientist, Luigi Galvani’s theory of electricity in animals was wrong. Luigi Galvani, being a professor of anatomy in the late 1780s, observed that when his scalpel hit a frog legs’ nerve on a metal surface, it would cause them to create a jumping motion. This lead to Luigi Galvani proclaiming

The acid within batteries, which acts as an electrolyte, is usually a concentrated acid solution, such as sulfuric acid. Such acids are able to burn human skin, damage the eyes, create holes in clothing, as well as being able to leave marks on concrete. Batteries can also emit flammable gases such as hydrogen gas, making it easy to ignite or even explode if the battery is left to accumulate said gas in a small area. Furthermore, if safety precautions are not taken, the release of an electric shock is also viable, this can be seen when attaching jumper cables to a car battery, producing dangerous sparks (Asc01.). In conclusion, batteries have plenty of advantages in helping the normal individual throughout their life, as well as providing electricity to industrial-based utilities; However, certain safety and health risks must be taken into account when handling

Batteries don’t only help the scientific field of research, but also aid us as a society in our daily lives, without batteries, we wouldn’t be able to use our phones and electronic devices unless being plugged into an electrical outlet. Also, batteries are able to power emergency energy systems, keeping those on life support in hospitals in safe conditions and lighting dark areas in the nighttime. Thanks to Alessandro Volta’s discovery and creation, our lives on earth are facilitated.

(1,192 Words)

Citations:

"Alessandro Volta." Famous Scientists. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 Nov. 2015. .

"static-electricity." The American Heritage® Science Dictionary. Houghton Mifflin Company. 04 Nov. 2015. .

"Alessandro Volta (1745-1827)." Corrosion Doctors. N.p., n.d. Web. 4 Nov. 2015. .

"Faqs / What Is a Wet-cell Battery and How Does It Differ from a Dry-cell Battery?" Call2Recycle United States. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 Nov. 2015. .

"How Batteries Are Used in Everyday Life." Techno FAQ. N.p., 7 Dec. 2014. Web. 04 Nov. 2015. .

"Lead Acid Batteries - Battery Council International." Lead Acid Batteries. Battery Council International, n.d. Web. 04 Nov. 2015. .

Asc01. 2 - Battery Hazards: Safety Training (n.d.): n. pag. Web. 6 Nov. 2015.