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Electricity. A look at some of the historical figures who developed our knowledge of electricity. Alessandro Volta. Born: 1745 in Coma, Italy. Died: 1827 Famous For: - invented the electrophorus - studied atmospheric electricity - invented the voltaic pile. Count Volta.
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Electricity A look at some of the historical figures who developed our knowledge of electricity.
Alessandro Volta • Born: 1745 in Coma, Italy. • Died: 1827 • Famous For: • - invented the electrophorus • - studied atmospheric electricity • - invented the voltaic pile
Count Volta • Alessandro Volta was a curious man who made many discoveries about electricity, meteorology and even pneumatics. • While he was a professor at the Royal School in Coma he invented the electrophorus. • The electrophorus was a device that created static electricity but he noted that despite his best efforts it was hard to maintain a constant level of energy.
The Voltaic Pile • After being appointed the professor of Physics at the University of Pavia Volta created the voltaic pile. • Using alternating layers of zinc and copper, which were separated by brine (salty water) soaked pieces of cardboard, Volta created the first battery that could produce a steady, reliable electrical current.
Georg Simon Ohm • Born: March 16, 1789 (Bavaria) • Died: July 6, 1854 • Famous For: • - Ohm’s Law • - led to our mathematical understanding of the relationship between voltage, current and resistance.
Ohm’s Law • The fundamental importance of Georg Ohm is that he is the first person to truly define the relationship between voltage, resistance and current in mathematical terms. • That sounds odd but once we can understand things mathematically we can begin to explore, understand and theorize in ways we could only imagine beforehand.
Ohm’s Importance • Ohm’s understanding and defining of electricity was not widely accepted at first. • However, many believe his discovery to be one of the most important and most useful ones. • We even have an electrical term known as an Ohm.
Ohm’s Law • V = Voltage • I = Current • R = Resistance • V = I x R • I = V/R • R = V/I
Benjamin Franklin Born: Jan. 17, 1706 Died: Apr. 17, 1790 Famous For: • Proved lightning was a form of static electricity • Politician • Inventor • Printer
Benjamin’s experiment. Using a kite with a wet string and a key Benjamin proved the electrical nature of lightning.