GRAVITY CELL Meaning and
Definition
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A gravity cell refers to an electrochemical cell or battery that generates electricity through a process known as gravity feed. It is a type of primary cell, also called a wet cell or Leclanché cell, which converts chemical energy into electrical energy. The gravity cell works on the principle of a chemical reaction, wherein two dissimilar electrodes are submerged in an electrolyte solution.
The gravity cell consists of a zinc anode, a carbon cathode, and a porous pot acting as a separator between the two electrodes. The electrolyte typically used is a solution of ammonium chloride. When the cell is activated, zinc atoms on the anode undergo oxidation, releasing electrons. These electrons flow towards the cathode through an external circuit, producing an electric current.
The driving force behind the gravity cell is the potential energy difference produced by the different densities of the electrolyte solutions. The electrolyte within the porous pot has a higher density than the electrolyte surrounding it. This density gradient creates a pressure difference, causing the electrolyte to flow into the pot and maintain the voltage and electrical current.
Gravity cells are commonly used in low-power applications such as telegraphy, signaling systems, and flashlights. They offer a long shelf life, stable output voltage, and affordability. However, they are not rechargeable and need to be replaced once they are depleted.
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A galvanic c. in which the two fluids are not separated by a solid partition but are kept from mixing by difference in specific gravity.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for GRAVITY CELL
- fravity cell
- vravity cell
- bravity cell
- hravity cell
- yravity cell
- travity cell
- geavity cell
- gdavity cell
- gfavity cell
- gtavity cell
- g5avity cell
- g4avity cell
- grzvity cell
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- grwvity cell
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- gracity cell
- grabity cell
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- grafity cell
Etymology of GRAVITY CELL
The term "gravity cell" is composed of two words: "gravity" and "cell".
The word "gravity" traces its origins back to the Latin word "gravitas", which means weight or heaviness. The concept of gravity as the force that attracts objects towards each other is attributed to Sir Isaac Newton, who coined the term in the 17th century.
In the context of a "gravity cell", the word "gravity" refers to the principle that allows the flow of electrons from a higher potential to a lower potential due to differences in weight or density of the electrolyte solution.
The word "cell" in this context refers to a device that generates electricity through chemical reactions. Invented by John Frederic Daniell in 1836, the gravity cell was an early type of electrochemical cell that used dense solutions to create an electrical potential difference.
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