(February 18, 1745 – March 5, 1827)
Alongside intelligence, diligence and perspicacity, opportunities, luck and accidents may facilitate discoveries. Alessandro Volta was a physicist and chemist, who (by sheer luck) capitalized on what eluded his compatriot, Luigi Galvani. Galvani first noticed that electricity was generated when different metals were connected to the muscles of a dead frog. However, he misinterpreted the underlying phenomenon by alluding that the animal generated the current. Volta, on the other hand, realized that it was an electrolytic process: facilitated by the electrodes (i.e. those metals) and the electrolyte (i.e. the aqueous substances in the frog’s tissues). To buttress this point, he went ahead and replicated similar processes without using animals’ tissues. He substituted those tissues with brine (i.e. concentrated solution of sodium chloride) as electrolyte, and determined that silver and zinc are very effective electrodes for this particular electrolyte. This invention heralded what we know today as batteries. Hence, Volta deservedly received credits for developing the first electrical cell (called voltaic cell then, and battery nowadays). From heavy duty machines to portable electronics, the importance of batteries cannot be overemphasized. They brought Volta so much plaudits which overshadowed his other accomplishments. For example, he served as physics professor (at Pavia) for 40 years. And in chemistry, he was the first researcher to identify, isolate and describe the properties of methane. Impressed by his achievements, Napoleon Bonaparte made him a count and a senator for his native Lombardy. Both the 8208 Volta asteroid and the 123-kilometer-wide Volta lunar crater are named after him.
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I’ve been to your blog before, and what you’re discussing are interesting. I’m glad to check it out again today.
Volta was awesome, – thanks for this info.
It’s a very good article.
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My respect to the battery man!
Alessandro Volta was a genius, and so are you, dear blogger. Look at how easy and straightforward you made everything on this website. It takes a genius to achieve a step by step presentation in complex stuffs like this, without losing any steam.
You’re right. I still remember the story of Volta and Galvani.
Battery is a lifesaver.
Volta = Voltage. Enough said!
Good info and straight to the point. Are you a professional writer? 🙂
Like!! Great article post. Really thank you! Really Cool.
I’ve read so many right stuffs here. Magnificent and informative web site!
This website holds excellent info 😀
“Calamity is the test of integrity.” by Samuel Richardson.
Volta was naturally a researcher.
Your posts are easy to follow.
Does your site have a contact page? I’m having trouble locating it.
Great in various ways
I am also a blogger … who appreciates fine works like yours.
Clean cut
How easily Volta disproved Galvani was ingenious.
Keep them coming.
Thanks for giving us the battery. I always crave higher capacities. lol.
You made science very attractive and entertaining
Batteries are still game-changers! But their future will be …
How nice! 😉
He easily overshadowed Galvani
I appreciate your sharing this best doc.
Great write-up
Good article and right to the point.
A win-win situation for him and Galvani.
this is it
Cleared the mist.