Alessandro Volta. Biography

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Alessandro Volta (1745-1827). Biography of a scientist

Directory / The life of remarkable physicists

Alessandro Volta (1745-1827)
Alessandro Volta

In March 1800, the famous Italian physicist Alessandro Volta demonstrated the first electric battery ("voltaic column"). The appearance of such a power source stimulated the development of electrical engineering. As early as 1802, the Russian physicist V.V. Petrov, on the basis of the "voltaic column", discovered the phenomenon of an electric arc. In 1807, the English physicist Humphrey Davy, using a "voltaic column", produced an electrochemical decomposition of salt into components.

In 1820, the Danish physicist Oersted, using the same "voltaic column", discovered the magnetic effect of electric current. The famous experiments of Michael Faraday were carried out with the same power source. "Voltaic column" consisted of several hundred metal disks of zinc and copper, separated by spacers of cloth soaked in vinegar or acid solution. The voltage between the edges of the "voltaic column" reached hundreds of volts or more. Therefore, the first "application" of this invention was to demonstrate the action of an electric current. After receiving a good electric shock, the audience was delighted. In 1801, the action of the "voltaic pillar" was experienced by Napoleon, who immediately awarded Volta the title of count.

Alessandro Giuseppe Antonio Anastasio Volta was born on February 18, 1745 in Como (Italian province of Lombardy). He studied at an ordinary local school, but from the age of 14 he became interested in physics. Obviously, he acquired his extensive knowledge on his own, in any case, in 1774 he was appointed professor of physics at the Higher School in Como. In the next 1775, Volta invented an electrophore machine that converts mechanical energy into an electrical charge; it can now be found in any school physics classroom. The electrophore machine consisted of a metal plate coated with ebonite and a second insulated metal plate. When one plate rotated relative to another, a negative charge accumulated on the ebonite plate. Based on this machine (there was no other source of electricity then), in 1777 Volta proposed an electric telegraph system. In it, the charge from the car was distributed through wires from Como to Milan.

The fame of Alessandro Volta grew, and in 1779 he was invited to take the chair of natural philosophy at the University of Pavia, where he continued to work on electrical phenomena. At this time, he became friends with another famous Italian physicist, Luigi Galvani (remember the terms "galvanic connection", "electroplating", etc.). They regularly exchange letters about their achievements. Galvani discovered the presence of an electric charge on the muscles of the frog and developed the theory of "animal electricity". After investigating this issue, Volta discovered that an electric charge can be obtained by placing a cloth moistened with acid between two metal surfaces made of different metals. Thus, the theory of "animal electricity" collapsed, and the prerequisites for the creation of a "voltaic column" arose.

The discovery of the "voltaic pillar" was the greatest achievement of Volta. "Voltaic column" remained the only source of current until 1867, when Leclanchet invented the acid electric battery. In 1815, Volta became dean of the Faculty of Philosophy at the University of Padua, and resigned four years later.

Alessandro Volta died on March 5, 1827. The unit of electrical voltage is named after Alessandro Volta. Saying phrases like "mains voltage 220 V" or "battery 1,5 V", it is worth remembering the name of the great Italian physicist who made a great contribution to the development of electrical engineering.

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