Available online
Description
This programme describes Humphry Davy's response to the invention of the electric battery and recrerates his experiments. A brief biography of Davy up to his joining the Royal Institution is also i...ncluded as an introduction.
This programme describes Humphry Davy's response to the invention of the electric battery and recrerates his experiments. A brief biography of Davy up to his joining the Royal Institution is also i...ncluded as an introduction.
| Module code and title: | A202, The age of revolutions |
|---|---|
| Item code: | A202; 10 |
| First transmission date: | 07-06-1972 |
| Published: | 1972 |
| Rights Statement: | |
| Restrictions on use: | |
| Duration: | 00:25:00 |
| + Show more... | |
| Producer: | Richard Callanan |
| Contributor: | Colin Russell |
| Publisher: | BBC Open University |
| Keyword(s): | Chemistry; Davy, Humphry; Electrochemistry; Electrolysis; Science history; Voltaic pile |
| Footage description: | Colin Russel introduces the programme. Portrait of Humphry Davy. Extract from Davy's work-book read. Russell describes Davy's youth with extracts from his own (Davy's) writings and film of Cornwall:- Following shots of Cornwall: 1. Mounts Bay, 2. Marazion Marshes, 3. St. Michael's Mount, 4. Borallaek Mine workings. Russell continues his outline of Davy's life. Shots of Royal Institution lecture theatre. Russell indicates that the remainder of the programme is given over to a description of Davy's response to the developing study of electricity. Colin Russell demonstrates frictional generation of electricity. Colin Russell demonstrates the principles of the Voltaic pile ( the first battery devised by Volta). Volta's crown of cups is first shown. Colin Russell recontructs a Voltaic pile, and demonstrates it.Colin Russell describes Davy's immediate response to the development of the battery. Colin Russell describes the nature of Davy's researches into the properties of the Voltaic pile. Shots of part of the Royal Institution battery which Davy had constructed. Colin Russell in describing Sir Anthony Carlisle's electrical experiments demonstrates electrolysis. Colin Russell demonstrates electrolysis by means of 'apparatus similar to that which Carlisle and Williams Nicholson used. Colin Russell describes Davy's early work on electrolysis. Shots of his original apparatus. He describes and recreates Davy's experiments in electrolytic transfer. Modern apparatus shows the phenomenon of electro plating. Colin Russell now describes Davy's electrolytic experiments of October-November 1806. The experiment of breaking down potash is revealed, as is that involving soda. Colin Russell assesses the importance of Davy'sfindings and experiments. The reactivity of sodium and of potassium are demonstrated. Colin Russell sums up the programme and assesses Davy's importance in the development of chemistry. |
| Master spool number: | 6HT/70595 |
| Production number: | 00521_2320 |
| Videofinder number: | 2520 |
| Available to public: | no |
