Grenet battery cell
Date: 1860-1890
Inventory Number: 0347
Classification: Battery
Subject:
Maker: French ?
Cultural Region:
Dimensions:
19.3 x 8 x 8 cm (7 5/8 x 3 1/8 x 3 1/8 in.)
Description:
A globe-shaped bottle with a cylindrical neck forms the battery container. Its metallic cap is linked to two carbon plates. A zinc plate lies between the latter two and slides vertically from the middle rod found on the battery's cap. Two binding posts, which are used to distribute the electricity generated by the battery, are also on the cap.
This battery generates an E.M.F. of 1.9 volts.
This battery generates an E.M.F. of 1.9 volts.
Signedunsigned
FunctionThe cell was devised by Johann Christian Poggendorff (1796-1877) in 1842 and established in this form by Grenet in 1856. It was very popular with experimenters for many years because it gave off no fumes.
The vessel would be half-filled with an acidic electrolyte and the metallic plates could be lowered into it to produce a voltage by the reaction of the electrolyte with the rosa. Two carbon rods and a zinc rod. Electrolyte: sulphuric acid with potassium bichromate. Many of these cells would usually be connected in series to obtain larger voltages.
The vessel would be half-filled with an acidic electrolyte and the metallic plates could be lowered into it to produce a voltage by the reaction of the electrolyte with the rosa. Two carbon rods and a zinc rod. Electrolyte: sulphuric acid with potassium bichromate. Many of these cells would usually be connected in series to obtain larger voltages.
ProvenanceFrom the Department of Chemistry, Harvard University.
