Voltapylväs

Voltapylväs, meaning "voltaic pile" in English, refers to the earliest form of electric battery invented by Italian physicist Alessandro Volta in 1800. This groundbreaking device was capable of producing a steady electric current, a significant advancement over the intermittent sparks produced by earlier electrostatic machines.

The construction of a voltaic pile involved stacking discs of two different metals, typically copper and zinc, separated by pieces of cloth or cardboard soaked in brine or an electrolyte solution. The electrochemical reaction between the metals and the electrolyte created a potential difference, causing a flow of electrons when connected in a circuit. Volta arranged these pairs in series, creating a "pile" that increased the overall voltage.

The voltaic pile had a profound impact on scientific research. It allowed scientists to conduct experiments with continuous electric currents, leading to discoveries such as electrolysis, the decomposition of chemical compounds by electric current, by Humphry Davy. It also paved the way for future developments in electrical technology. While modern batteries have surpassed the voltaic pile in efficiency and practicality, its historical significance as the first practical source of continuous electric current is undeniable.