Supplying Electrical Energy

Abstract

It was in 1800 that the Italian Professor, Alessandro Volta, built the very first battery. Volta piled up a number of ‘cells’ to make his battery. Each cell was a zinc and copper disc, separated by moist fabric. A potential difference was produced across the ends of the battery. Volta’s was a primary cell battery. This meant that once the chemical reaction which provided the p.d. had finished, the cell was no longer useful. The chemical reactions in some cells can be reversed by an electric current supplied from an outside source. Such rechargeable cells are called secondary cells.