How many volts did Volta's demonstration create?

How many volts did Volta's demonstration create?

• A. up to 60 volts
• B. up to 5 volts
• C. up to 12 volts
• D. up to 30 volts

Answer: (D)

Voltage comes from the potential difference produced by each galvanic cell in a stack. Volta’s pile used many metal discs separated by an electrolyte, and each cell contributes its own small voltage. When cells are arranged in series, their voltages add up, so adding more cells raises the total voltage. In Volta’s demonstration, enough cells were stacked to produce a noticeable, tens-of-volts range—roughly up to about thirty volts. The exact amount depends on how many cells were used and the strength of the electrolyte, but the key idea is that the total voltage increases with more cells in series, which is why the demonstration reached around 30 volts.

Voltage comes from the potential difference produced by each galvanic cell in a stack. Volta’s pile used many metal discs separated by an electrolyte, and each cell contributes its own small voltage. When cells are arranged in series, their voltages add up, so adding more cells raises the total voltage. In Volta’s demonstration, enough cells were stacked to produce a noticeable, tens-of-volts range—roughly up to about thirty volts. The exact amount depends on how many cells were used and the strength of the electrolyte, but the key idea is that the total voltage increases with more cells in series, which is why the demonstration reached around 30 volts.