How Volta Invented the First Battery Because He Was Jealous of Galvani's Frog

How did Allesandro Volta invent the first battery? Learn a story of scientific rivalries, reanimating corpses, tingly metals and Napoleonic politics! I also show you how the frog moved, how to make your own battery out of pennies and vinegar that lights up an LED light bulb and how to make Hydrogen and Oxygen gas out of water! I will also tell you why we can't use pennies to charge our cell phones. This is a fascinating tale behind one of our most used devices in modern life: the battery. Check it out!
Experiments:
1. How to make a voltaic pile:
Take 10 shiny pennies, 10 zinc washers (or tin foil), and cut out 10 circles in paper or cardboard. Put the paper or cardboard in a cup full of vinegar. Layer the items zinc, paper, penny, zinc, paper, penny... You got a battery! Crazy eh?
2. How to make Hydrogen and Oxygen
Take a container of water and add a pinch of baking soda (you can add salt but it will make Chlorine and that is dangerous). Put leads from a 9 V battery into the water. That is it. If you put a tube with a balloon on top of the leads you can collect the gas but be careful, the gasses can be dangerous around a flame!
Thanks:
Big Shout out to Bertrand Wolff in France who is working with Christine Blondel on the History of Electricity. Their videos have a lot more detail on how to recreate the experiments (and how to dissect the frog). If you speak any French I recommend you check it out!
The frog videos were made at their request by Dr. Francois Ferriere at the University de Rennes 1 and can be seen at:
www.ampere.cnrs.fr/histoire/it...
The videos of the voltage and maximum current from a voltaic pile as well as the gentleman getting shocked can be seen at:
www.ampere.cnrs.fr/parcoursped...
Finally, as usual, a big thank you to the fabulous Kim Nalley for singing "electricity" and some background music.

[@chrissky1772]

This lady deserves an educational price for her explanation being so easy and understandable for everybody.

[@Kathy_Loves_Physics]

Thanks

[@alessandromarzico2703]

What is overlooked or forgotten in modern historiography is the fact that the voltaic pile provided the basis for later inventions. Without a constant electric current (from Volta's Pile) one could not have created an electromagnetic field, which in turn is needed to "invent" a motor or an electric generator, and and and If we hadn't had such geniuses as Volta and Faraday, what would the world be like today?

[@user-gh3hq7wn5p]

Hi! Thanks for the video. As an electrician for many years, I can tell you that Amperage is the pressure in the line, not voltage. If you use 2 cups connected by a tube as an example, you can equate Voltage to the difference in heights of the water in the 2 cups, as Voltage the potential change required to even the 2 water levels.. Amperage is the pressure at which the water can flow between the cups through the tube, and Resistance(or Resistivity) can be thought of as the diameter of the connecting pipe. V = IR, the difference in Voltage between the power source and Ground(0v) = the pressure of the water in the tube x the diameter of the tube,

[@T.C.-st8uz]

I made nearly the exact pile today! My 7th graders and I wrapped the pennies , washers and vinegar. Soaked paper electric tape, with aluminum foil as terminals at the ends. We attached a small LED bulb. The best part was that aluminum on the bottom. Only connected if the little battery was set down on something. Setting it down on my colleagues asks and having it turn on was very satisfying. The students liked it too.

[@radeonblue1816]

I learned much more then my physics textbooks. Thanks mam. The videos are awesome and very much educational. You do not miss any point and explain everything in very easy way possible.

[@Kathy_Loves_Physics]

pankaj kumarji so glad you liked them and they helped you. Feel free to share on social media (like Facebook or twitter or reddit or ..). Cheers, Kathy

[@arya-qy7hc]

Can you talk with me

[@organicfarm5524]

Because here you learn physics and history of physics aswell.

[@DualStupidity]

That was great! I also noticed on Wikipedia that Volta named one of his children Luigi. Since they seemed to respect each other very much, I wonder if that was in honor of Galvani.

[@therealpbristow]

Specifically: Volta invented the first electrical *battery*, but Galvani invented the first electrical *cell*.

[@Kathy_Loves_Physics]

Good point

[@adieaf61]

Totally awesome that you have communicated all of this with such clarity and humour. This is a series that need to be heard more and would be ideal as a teaching aid for so many. Thank you,

[@dahawk8574]

It would have been good to mention that Luigi got stuff named for him as well. Galvanization, and such. Eager to dive into the next episode...

[@vk2ig]

And the galvanometer, which is the basis of the moving coil meter used in analog instruments such as voltmeters, ammeters, ohmmeters, and many, many others.

[@andywander]

I love how you obviously love the subject!

[@patriot-hj5vx]

Volta took galvani's seed and grew it into a well formed tree. Bravo.

[@JorgeMartinez-xb2ks]

Amazing video. Thanks so much for such a clear explanation

[@donphilp7511]

Another excellent story thank you so much

[@shaswatakundu3935]

Maam you are really doing a fantastic job...A lot of new information

[@pixxelwizzard]

I absolutely love how you reproduce these experiments in your videos. So cool! I really wanna learn more about Davy now, I saw him in a documentary about the discovery of elements using this battery, and I'm fascinated.

[@Kathy_Loves_Physics]

I first learned about Davey through a PBS show called “Einstein’s big discovery” and they depicted him as an egotistical classist ass and I was surprised to find him much more engaging an interesting and they lead me to believe.

[@javiergomezllagaria6111]

great job Kathy I learned a lot

[@Kathy_Loves_Physics]

Javier Gomezllagaria glad you liked it

[@timothyandrewausten]

This is the answer I was looking for, about how a method to produce a steady current of electricity was invented. Brilliant explanation!

[@Kathy_Loves_Physics]

Timothy Austen so glad you liked it

[@dderudito]

Really copious and well showed. Thank you too much!!! Great job!

[@Kathy_Loves_Physics]

you're welcome.

[@johnwynne-qx6br]

Great video short and sweet with everything explained 👍

[@PaolaScz]

Thanks you just explained to me what 2 teachers couldn’t in 1 day in 12 min, you explain amassing I’m impressed

[@Kathy_Loves_Physics]

1 so glad you liked it. I think the history makes the physics (and chemistry) much easier to understand IMHO.

[@dribrahimel-nahhal2477]

I appreciate all your videos very highly and I can't thank you enough. I await every new video from you since I am addicted to your channel.

[@Kathy_Loves_Physics]

Thank you for the kind words.

[@susheelanisha]

So much love and gratitude from this homeschooling mamma! Thank you!

[@Kathy_Loves_Physics]

you are welcome. Feel free to share my videos with other mammas. Cheers from a fellow mother, Kathy

[@spambot7110]

"why would anybody be jealous of a frog in the first place?" wow, someone's not a furry

[@ctvxl]

The only thing I want to know is: How is it that nobody seems to understand the difference between the words jealous and envious anymore?

[@chinmaygiri]

Thanks for the video. I learnt more about electricity from your videos than my entire college life. Appreciate your efforts.. peace

[@iamevanadyaevacazan6984]

Awesome : ) Grazie!!!

[@_N0_0ne]

Thank you kindly ✍️

[@anweshadutta6117]

So much informative and I learnt a lot of things. It was too good for me. Thank you so much..... Keep making videos like this ❤️

[@Kathy_Loves_Physics]

I’m glad you liked it but don’t put yourself down. Us women need to support each other and believe in ourselves because this big sexist world is out to tear us down. 🦸🏻‍♀️

[@Overtime123]

Hehe! My dad is a physicist at CERN and from what gossip i have heard i can confirm physicists are as petty now as they were back in Volta's day!

[@arctic_haze]

Physicists are human. But physics is a great achievement of humanity.

[@HDPersonal777]

@@arctic_haze olde worlde mudflooded tech

[@arctic_haze]

@@HDPersonal777 I hope you are joking.

[@rhetthouse432]

Omfg I love your channel!

[@kinshukbanerjee4587]

Very interesting video. Thank you so much 🙏

[@Kathy_Loves_Physics]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@sivashankar6456]

Good information 👍

[@Kathy_Loves_Physics]

Thanks

[@MitzvosGolem1]

Excellent work thanks

[@Kathy_Loves_Physics]

SovietRefusnik1 Golem you are welcome

[@user-mt7jr3ux2g]

i love you kathy!! thanks for this!!! YOU ARE AWESOME!!!

[@Kathy_Loves_Physics]

blackpink's manager thanks I’m glad you enjoyed it!

[@kentek3141]

Kathy here's a funny battery story. Years ago my wife would make delicious meatloaf in a metal pan. To preserve the left overs she just put a piece of aluminum foil over the pan. Sure enough the next morning the aluminum foil would have hole in it. Never new she was an inventor. Best Ken in Camarilli

[@bobbymcdingdong]

Utterly gruesome - but awesome too!

[@Kathy_Loves_Physics]

Robert McGeorge the one on the real Dr. Frankenstein is even more gruesome.

[@ahdalhamdo257]

Tack så mycket

[@javiergomezllagaria6111]

Keep posting

[@Kathy_Loves_Physics]

Will do! I am planning on around 55 videos on the history of electricity. Glad you liked it

[@tigranavemian803]

Beautiful

[@anastasiaazure8374]

Your videos are so well explained and entertaining, it is fun and easy to learn. I love the home experiments that you do! Do you have a pdf with all of your ideas? From the saran wrap around a fluorescent tube, to spark igniting alcohol to a penny-zinc washer LED light? It would be so great to teach my friends, and it inspires me to figure out how to make educational artwork

[@Kathy_Loves_Physics]

Thanks for the compliment. I should put together a pdf of my experiments (and I was thinking of a new how-to video with the alcohol and the DIY van de graff generator) but I haven’t yet. In the meantime, feel free to send me an email (in the about me) and I can help you with any of the experiments you try on your own. Educational artwork sounds fascinating!

[@jackfrost2146]

I'm sure these videos about electricity are actually magnetic--I can't drag myself away from watching them!

[@msmgameplay23]

Wowzers that Fricking Awseome man

[@IndependentBear]

When I was about 12, I ran an AC current through water and got oxygen and hydrogen gas. I confirmed it by placing a lit match over the container (a bottle with narrow neck) and hearing a satisfying "thump" as the hydrogen and oxygen gasses ignited and reformed into H2O. I never got around to using a D.C. source to collect the gasses separately. That was probably fortunate because the proper mixture of more hydrogen and oxygen when ignited might have done some real damage to me and my little laboratory in one corner of my room. I thank my Mother for allowing me to experiment.

[@mathemagic9070]

Outstanding explanation good job 🇮🇳🇮🇳

[@srinivasarao7192]

good job

[@tigranavemian803]

Amazing!!!!

[@modernphil1049]

Wow. Amazing content. Feel bad for Galvani though😢

[@rasputinorco]

Brava!

[@lucasf.v.n.4197]

Good job well done

[@kavithajames511]

Gr8 video!

[@Kathy_Loves_Physics]

Kavitha James glad you liked it

[@andreynevdakh4879]

I wish u were my science teacher. This video was actually super interesting and cool

[@Kathy_Loves_Physics]

Glad you liked it. I like to think I am your science teacher in a way.

[@sharma_80766]

Thanks madam, kindly make a video based on galvani and volta

[@vanukceu9275]

Thank you

[@Kathy_Loves_Physics]

van ukceu you are quite welcome

[@fahafsugsisbsn]

He Made Batteries With Electric Eel.

[@christinehaylock2843]

Thx for teaching me Kathy

[@disenodesuenos1247]

You are a great storyteller

[@Kathy_Loves_Physics]

Thank you

[@disenodesuenos1247]

You're welcome. I will give an electrochemistry class next week and I'll tell this stories, haha

[@alexamendoza4507]

me ayudó mucho para mi tarea de biofisica, gracias desde Perú It helps me a lot for my biophysic´s homework, thanks from Perú

[@Kathy_Loves_Physics]

Alexa Mendoza so glad it helped. Cheers from California

[@waitin4thateeeeeeeg]

Very good

[@Kathy_Loves_Physics]

Thanks

[@videolabguy]

I had read, many years ago, that Volta would demonstrate his "pile" battery to students by fleecing them of their spare change, building a pile, having most of them hold hands in a circuit, and then getting a volunteer to wizz on the pile, causing shock among the students. Pun intended. Unsurprisingly, no one wanted their change back. Not sure if it is true. But, an extremely entertaining anecdote none the less.

[@Kathy_Loves_Physics]

That is hilarious- not sure a Count would need to scam kids of coins but it still is a funny image.

[@videolabguy]

@@Kathy_Loves_Physics Volta was a Count? (Count De Money?) I did not know that. Could have been another science entertainer of the time. I wish I could quote the source of the story. But, sadly, I didn't know to keep track of such details back then.

[@peters972]

I hope we are not charged for that.

[@ikpeessien7399]

Hi, Kathy, this is a nice documentary. What about ...the drug use?... does it spark the mind into inventions

[@TheElectromagno]

Nice

[@thedouglasw.lippchannel5546]

Looking for an episode of who and why made the first inductor coil. Any info would be helpful.

[@Kathy_Loves_Physics]

You could either say it was Michael Faraday in 1831 or Nicholas Callen in 1833. If you watch my video on the history of the Tesla Coil I go over it.

[@thedouglasw.lippchannel5546]

@@Kathy_Loves_Physics Thank you so much. I am so happy to learn all this. I think I went back to Oersted and the compass, then Ampere, who first (?) coiled a wire - to mimic the idea of Oersted that the current spiraled. This then was the impetus for Ampere to coil a wire. Then Sturgeon, then Faraday, maybe?? But, thanks - I got to where I wanted. If you want, you can watch my video - completely lacking the detail of yours. Your videos should be incorporated in every school & translated into all languages. I've watched your Tesla coil video 3x now.

[@odal6770]

When was voltage/potential introduced in the theory of electricity?

[@isamiwind438]

Has Volta written the process of the discovery himself? Or that part (mostly 5:10 - 5:55) of the video includes speculations? I tried to research this but couldn't find such information easily.

[@jijiewya]

susah ni ging

[@davidliz315]

Learnt

[@richardfoster2895]

I've often wondered if the reanimation experiments influenced Mary Shelly to write Frankenstein's Monster. Kathy, what do you think?

[@richardfoster2895]

OK, listened further. You answered that.

[@vigneshm7930]

What is tingly metals and scientific rivalry means

[@Kathy_Loves_Physics]

sorry, was making a joke. Tingly metals because the metals caused his mouth to tingle. Scientific rivalry because Volta and Galvani were rivals because of a science difference.

[@TheAlison1456]

How did the chemists know which elements were being bubbled out of the probes?

[@Kathy_Loves_Physics]

They said that the hydrogen smelled like hydrogen! I had no idea that hydrogen even had a smell but that’s what they said.

[@bloodsweatandtearsforeverl9833]

The father of the blue angel aga

[@ErikOosterwal]

"...and prolific drug use made him a scientific superstar." 🤓

[@Kathy_Loves_Physics]

I was quite proud of that line.

[@ErikOosterwal]

Kathy Loves Physics - It's a great line. There are so many superstars, both of science and of other endeavors, who have been created or destroyed through prolific drug use.

[@srinivasarao7192]

but i like it

[@troyallen8223]

Ribbit🥳🥳🥳... This is galvanizing😊

[@theyluvtee4244]

I don’t get how Mary Shelley was inspired by science

[@GammaDigamma]

Michigan J Frog

[@Kathy_Loves_Physics]

"Hello my baby"

[@francisfrancis4219]

Not even cleaVage??

[@srinivasarao7192]

i did not understand

[@Kathy_Loves_Physics]

What are you confused about? Maybe I can help.

[@hasmotali6914]

Js

[@Ninja-ul5vk]

12volt=12volt fale no 1A=1A no fale

[@GRosa]

🤔

[@stealth3979]

poggers

[@nasalimbu3078]

Computer (science)=core +EPH population Biology Builder q-basci parogming

[@mrgcav]

You were doing so well until 9:22 when you claimed electricity is "Magical".

[@HDPersonal777]

It is! El-ect-tri-city (note El god too) was stolen old world tech/magic to turn crude/unhealthy and “charge” us and money for (your so called mainstream science is nothing but khabbalah esoterica dark evil magic as well if you did not know). The word science was “invented” in the early 1800’s, the Big Bang and globe earth is literal khabbalah and they began telling the population to believe that in the early 1900’s and now they “charge” us and use for it for energy or electricity and yes also magic is energy/ether too. But yeah, keep thinking magic isn’t real and believe in mainstream magic while the ones controlling us are sorcerers who really believe in magic so they like their “guides” to be so called atheists or scientists too!

[@aaaab384]

Good presentation, but please, learn to pronounce Italian names in a less cringe-worthy manner.

[@HDPersonal777]

Go to Italy if you want that!

[@aaaab384]

@@HDPersonal777 No, I won't.

[@Randomuploads2012]

How else are you supposed to pronounce Volta? 😂 it’s pretty straightforward.

[@aaaab384]

​@TheSKFPS if it's straightforward, then why does she keep saying "Elezenduou Voulte" instead of "Alessandro Volta"?