Chemical electricity

In 1800 Alessandro Volta published the results of several years’ work on the phenomenon of electric shocks which he experienced from physical contact with the terminals of his newly developed battery. His work was prompted by Luigi Galvani’s explanation of involuntary muscle spasms in frog’s legs, which he induced and attributed to animal electricity. Volta’s paper opened the floodgates for research in the new field of electrochemistry which has resulted in today’s worldwide electric battery industry. This essay explains the sequence of natural events and their explanations which led to the publication of Volta’s paper, and gives an overview of the scientific research resulting from Volta’s work. This research includes attempts to improve batteries, and the development of ideas which led to a better understanding of matter and the way it interacts with energy. Practical details for the teaching of several important chemical concepts are listed in the appendix. The experiments are related to a reaction which has been known for many centuries - that between iron and copper sulphate solution.