The voltaic cell

Article no. P7400700 | Type: Experiments

10 Minutes

20 Minutes

grades 7-10 , grades 10-13

Pupils

medium

Principle

The first galvanic cell was described by the Italian physicist Alessandro Graf Volta in 1799. This "Volta cell" or "voltaic cell" is also a copper/zinc cell, but in contrast to the Daniell cell, which was developed later, both electrodes are dipped here into the same electrolyte solution (dilute sulphuric acid). This relatively simple construction allowed several such cells to be combined together in a very compact form. Such batteries of voltaic cells became known as "voltaic piles", and were used to generate higher voltages.

Learning objectives

Principle of a voltaic cell

Benefits

Easy teaching and efficient learning by using interactive experimentation PHYWE-Software
Experiment is part of a complete solution set with experiments for the topic Electrochemistry matched with international curriculum: all topics are covered

Device name

Article no.

Quantity

PHYWE Digital multimeter, 600V AC/DC, 10A AC/DC, 20 MΩ, 200 µF, 20 kHz, −20°C…760°C

Article no. 07122-00

Connecting cord, 2 mm-plug, 5A, 500 mm, red

Article no. 07356-01

Connecting cord, 2 mm-plug, 5A, 500 mm, blue

Article no. 07356-04

Reducing plug 4mm/2mm socket, 2

Article no. 11620-27

Alligator clip, insulated, 2 mm socket, 2 pcs.