How to Make a Voltaic Pile
The voltaic pile was the world's first battery. In 1800, Alessandro Volta experimented with various types of metals and electrolyte solutions (which conduct electricity). Although he did not fully understand electricity, Volta was able to construct a simple battery by alternating layers of copper plates, zinc plates and pads soaked in electrolyte solution. You can make a facsimile of Volta's first battery.
- Difficulty:
- Moderately Easy
Instructions
Things You'll Need
- Hot tap water (half a cup will be enough)
- Salt
- Small bowl
- Pieces of paper towel cut into circles the size of a penny
- Two pieces of insulated copper wire, each at least six inches long
- Wire stripper tool (or pair of scissors if you are careful)
- Small amount of duct tape or masking tape
- Pennies
- Zinc-plated washers the size of a penny (or you can try substituting nickels)
- Small LED light (low voltage, such as 1.2)
- Volt meter (optional)
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1
Dissolve as much salt as you can into the hot water. Soak the pieces of paper towel in the salt water solution.
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2
Strip the ends of the insulated copper wires. Tape the end of one wire to the side of a penny. Tape one end of the other wire to a zinc washer (or a nickel). These will be put on the top and bottom of your stack. It does not matter which goes on which end as long as the wires are on the outside of the stack.
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3
Stack the coins and paper towels in alternating layers like this: copper, zinc washer, paper towel, copper, zinc washer, paper towel, etc. Start with one of your taped coins or a zinc washer and end with the other. You may blot the paper towel pieces a bit before stacking them, but make sure that they do not dry out.
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4
Put the free ends of the wires on the leads of the LED light. If it does not light, you may want to check your apparatus to make sure everything is in place correctly. You may also want to add a few more coins to the stack to make it longer.
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5
Try using a volt meter set on DC voltage to measure how much electricity is being produced by your voltaic pile.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Use a high-quality paper towel that is thick and absorbent and will not fall apart easily.
Use an LED with very low voltage requirements.
If you have trouble making your pile stay together, use a piece of cereal box cardboard folded into a "trench" and lay the stack on its side in the cardboard trench.
