The Contributions by Alessandro Volta (1745 - 1827) to humanity were very important and were mainly in the scientific field. His contributions were especially given in the study of electricity.
His experimental work in the field of chemistry and electricity, and his theoretical contributions to discussions of the eighteenth century on the same subjects, led to major developments in physics and electromagnetism.
Alessandro_Volta
Because of the importance of their scientific contributions and the impact they had on the lives of ordinary people, Alessandro Volta was a highly recognized scientist of his time. It was not only celebrated by poets and musicians but also highly loved by governments.
Apart from his scientific contributions, Volta successfully held high-profile political positions. So much so that he was admired by Napoleon, who filled him with high honors for his work.
Main contributions of Alessandro Volta
The electric battery or voltaic battery
In March 1800, Volta made its greatest contribution by inventing the electric battery. This invented revolutionized the concept of power sources forever, making available, for the first time, a source of portable direct current.
The electric stack allowed to generate the current from a column of disks of different metals intercalated with cardboard moistened in a solution of salt.
This contribution of Volta propitió the development of applications like the electrolysis of the water or the production of an electric arc between two poles of carbon. Furthermore, this invention made it possible to demonstrate the relationship between magnetism and electricity.
Electrochemistry
Alessandro Volta, is considered one of the parents of electrochemistry as a discipline. Volta shares this title with Luigi Galvani, who made important developments in animal electricity.
Volta's main contributions to this discipline were made through experiments with frogs, which he performed to evaluate electrical phenomena described by Galvani.
The different interpretations given by Volta and Galvani to these phenomena allowed the true development of electrochemistry.
Some authors consider to Volta the true founder of the electrochemistry by the experimental character that gave to this branch of the science.
Contact electrification laws
Volta raised the famous laws of contact electrification, a theory he developed to explain the sources of electric charges.
Volta's theory of contact electricity was later proved to be incomplete and erroneous in several respects.
Despite the mistakes, Volta's theory lasted for many years and served as a basis for advancing the experimental study of electricity and for important theoretical discussions on the subject.
Invention from equipment
Among the less known contributions of Volta to the world of science are a large number of equipment, some of which are still used today.
Turn around equipment such as the electric capacitor, which is used to store energy. He also invented the condenser electroscope, an apparatus that combines electroscope and capacitor functions.
In addition, he perfected the electrophore, a team invented by Johan Wilcke and serves as a generator of static electricity.
Discoveries and experimental processes
Alessandro Volta made experimental contributions very important in his time. Among them he is acknowledged to have discovered the organic nature of biogas.
On the other hand, Volta also carried out important experiments in atmospheric electricity as the ignition of gases by electric sparks in closed containers.
The contributions of Volta to the scientific world lasted until 1803. After this year and until the date of its death in 1827 did not produce new contributions.
References
- Beretta M. From Nollet to Volta: Lavoisier and electricity. Revue D'histoire Des Sciences . 2001; 54 (1): 29-52.
- Fara P. Alessandro Volta and the politics of pictures. Endeavor . 2009; 33 (4): 127-128.
- Piccolino M. Sparking off the Enlightenment. Endeavor . 2004; 28 (1): 6.
- Science A. A. Alessandro Volta. The Scientific Monthly . 1927; 25 (2): 189-191.
- Science A. A. The Volta Memorial Fellowship. Science, New Series . 1927; 66 (1710).
- Journal of Electroanalytical Chemistry . 1999; 460 (1): 1-4.