In 1800, Alessandro Volta introduced an invention that changed the study of electricity forever. His voltaic pile produced a steady electrical current, unlike the brief discharges of earlier static electricity machines. However, the problems waiting in the voltaic pile limited its usefulness.
The Pile Consisted Of Alternating Discs Of Zinc And Copper
The pile consisted of alternating discs of zinc and copper, with pieces of cloth or cardboard soaked in salt water between. When these connected in a circuit, it produced electricity. Scientists could now perform experiments that had previously been impossible, including the decomposition of water into hydrogen and oxygen.
But The Design Had Serious Weaknesses
The problems waiting in the voltaic pile were numerous. The weight of the upper discs squeezed the wet separating material below them. Salt water could leak out, causing the cells to lose contact with the electrolyte or create unwanted short circuits. Adding more discs to increase the voltage made this problem worse.
The metals also deteriorated during use. Hydrogen bubbles could collect on the copper, reducing the battery’s performance. This effect, known as polarization, increased the internal resistance. Impurities in the zinc also caused local action, which consumed the zinc even when the battery was not being used.
The Pile Could Not Deliver Useful Power For Long Periods.
These faults meant the pile could not deliver useful power for long periods. Yet its importance of the idea was undeniable. The steady current it produced opened the door to electrochemistry. And helped scientists explore the relationship between electricity and chemical reactions.
Inventors Soon Began Looking For Better Designs
Inventors soon began looking for better designs. William Cruickshank arranged battery elements horizontally in a box. This created the trough battery and reduced the leakage caused by stacked discs. Other improvements followed.
The lesson was clear: a successful invention would still need many improvements before it becomes practical.
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