EXPERIMENT - How to make a battery! #VoltaicPile

Summary

In this engaging experiment, viewers learn how to recreate Alessandro Volta's historic voltaic pile, the first electrical battery capable of providing a continuous current. The process involves simple materials: copper coins, zinc discs, paper, vinegar, and salt, demonstrating the principles of electrolytes and electric currents. After carefully assembling the components into cells, the experiment successfully lights an LED strip, showcasing the effectiveness of the homemade battery. While the battery's power is not comparable to commercial batteries, the video emphasizes the fun and educational aspects of this DIY project, encouraging viewers to try it themselves safely at home.

Takeaways

• 🔋 The voltaic pile, invented by Alessandro Volta in 1799, was the first electrical battery capable of providing a continuous electric current.
• ⚗️ Creating a simple voltaic pile requires copper, zinc, paper, vinegar, and salt.
• 📏 It's essential to have equal-sized components in the battery to prevent short circuits during assembly.
• 🧪 Salt dissolved in vinegar acts as an electrolyte, crucial for transmitting electric current.
• ✂️ Using thinner paper is important for proper electrical conductivity; thick cardboard can hinder current flow.
• ⚡ Each cell in the voltaic pile produces approximately 0.64 volts.
• 💡 A series of voltaic cells can collectively produce enough voltage to power LED lights.
• 🛠️ An aluminum sheet can be used to insulate the pile from the environment.
• ⏳ The constructed battery lasted for about 4 minutes and 37 seconds.
• 🌊 If vinegar is unavailable, saltwater can serve as an alternative electrolyte.

Q & A

What is a voltaic pile?

A voltaic pile is the first electrical battery that could continuously provide an electric current to a circuit, invented by Italian physicist Alessandro Volta in 1799.

What materials are needed to create a voltaic pile?

To create a voltaic pile, you need copper, zinc, paper, vinegar, and salt.

Why is it important to cut the paper pieces to the same size?

Cutting the paper pieces to the same size is important to prevent short circuits, which can occur if some pieces are larger than others.

What role do salt and vinegar play in the voltaic pile?

Salt and vinegar create electrolytes, which are essential for transmitting electric current through the battery.

What was the initial mistake made during the experiment?

The initial mistake was using cardboard that was too thick, preventing the electric current from passing effectively between the materials.

How is the voltaic pile structured?

The voltaic pile is structured by alternating layers of copper discs, paper soaked in electrolytes, and zinc discs to form multiple electric cells.

What is the voltage produced by a single electric cell in the voltaic pile?

Each electric cell in the voltaic pile is measured to produce 0.64 volts.

How long did the homemade battery last in the experiment?

The homemade battery lasted for 4 minutes and 37 seconds.

What should be done if the paper discs become dry during the experiment?

If the paper discs become dry, they should be re-soaked to ensure enough electrolytes are present to carry the electric current.

Is recreating the voltaic pile safe?

Yes, recreating the voltaic pile is safe as the voltage is very low and does not affect the human body.