One of the most important milestones in the history of the planet is the invention of electricity. It is this discovery that helps to this day to develop our civilization. Electricity is one of the most environmentally friendly forms of energy. Who owns the discovery of this phenomenon? How is electricity received and used? Is it possible to independently create a galvanic cell?
History of the invention of electricity briefly
Electricity was discovered back in the 7th century BC by the ancient Greek philosopher Thales. He found that amber rubbed with wool was able to attract smaller objects.
However, large-scale experiments with electricity begin in the Renaissance in Europe. In 1650, an electrostatic unit was built by the Magdeburg burgomaster von Guericke. In 1729, Stephen Gray set experience in the transmission of electricity over a distance. In 1747, Benjamin Franklin published an essay that collected all the known facts about electricity and put forward new theories. In 1785, the law of Coulomb was discovered.
1800 was a turning point: the Italian Volt invents the first direct current source. In 1820, the Danish scientist Oersted discovered the electromagnetic interaction of objects. One year later, Ampère found out that a magnetic field is created by electric current, but not by static charges.
Such great researchers as Gauss, Joule, Lenz, and Ohm have made an invaluable contribution to the invention of electricity. The year 1830 also became important, because Gauss developed the theory of an electrostatic field. The phenomenon of electromagnetic induction and the development of a current-powered motor belongs to Michael Faraday.
At the end of the 19th century, experiments with electricity were carried out by many scientists, including Pierre Curie, Lachinov, Hertz, Thomson, Rutherford. At the beginning of the 20th century, the theory of quantum electrodynamics appeared.
Electricity in nature
The discovery and invention of electricity happened a long time ago. However, it was previously believed that in nature it simply does not exist. But American Franklin found out that such a thing as lightning has a purely electrical nature. For a long time, his point of view was rejected by the scientific community.
Electricity is of great importance in nature. Many scientists believe that due to lightning discharges, the synthesis of amino acids was carried out, as a result of which life was born on Earth. Without nerve impulses, no animal can function. There are varieties of marine organisms that use electricity as a means of defense, attack, orientation in space and the search for food.
Receiving electricity
The invention of electricity has influenced scientific and technological progress. To generate electricity, power plants have been created for many decades. Electricity is created using energy generators, and then it is transmitted through power lines. The principle of creating current is to convert mechanical energy into electrical energy. Power plants are divided into the following types:
- atomic;
- wind;
- hydropower;
- tidal-excellent;
- solar;
- thermal.
Electricity application
The invention of electricity is rightfully the greatest discovery, because without it modern life becomes impossible. It is available in almost every home and is used for lighting, information exchange, cooking, heating, the functioning of household appliances. Electricity is also necessary for the movement of trams, trolleybuses, subways, and electric trains. The work of a computer, cell phone is also impossible without electricity.
Curious experience
It turns out that a galvanic cell can be manufactured independently, and this is done quite simply. This method gained fame in the early 20th century.
First you need to cut the lemon in the middle with a fairly sharp knife in half. It is extremely undesirable to remove or tear off the partitions between the slices. After this, you need to alternately connect a small piece of wire, about 2 centimeters in size, to each lobule. The cells should alternate between copper and zinc wires. Then follows the ends of the protruding wires in series to connect a metal wire of a smaller diameter. Thus, you can get a battery. How to check if it works? To do this, you can measure the voltage with a voltmeter.
One of the most important discoveries in the history of mankind was the invention of electricity. The opening date is not exactly known. However, experiments were begun by the ancient Greek scholar Thales. An active study of electricity began in the Renaissance. Without it, no living organism can function. Today, without this invention, we can hardly imagine our life. People have long learned how to receive, transmit and use electricity.