Known:
* Static electricity: The basics of static electricity, generated by friction, were understood. People were experimenting with Leyden jars (early capacitors) to store static charges.
* Galvanic cells: Alessandro Volta had invented the battery (voltaic pile) in 1800. This allowed for the continuous production of electric current, revolutionizing the study of electricity.
* Electromagnetism: Hans Christian Ørsted had discovered the connection between electricity and magnetism in 1820, a crucial leap forward, but this was very recent and still being explored.
* Applications: Limited. While electricity was being used in experiments, its practical applications were minimal.
Being explored:
* Electrochemistry: The relationship between electricity and chemical reactions (electrolysis) was being actively investigated. This led to the development of electroplating and other electrochemical processes.
* Electric motors: The first primitive electric motors were being constructed, but they were very inefficient and not practical for real-world use.
* Theories of electricity: Scientists were still struggling to understand the nature of electricity. Theories were being debated, but there was no widely accepted model.
Key Points:
* Electricity was still a scientific curiosity. While the battery had been invented, there were very few practical applications.
* The understanding of electricity was incomplete. The connection between electricity and magnetism was a major breakthrough, but scientists were still exploring its implications.
* The field was rapidly developing. The 1800s were a period of intense research into electricity, leading to a rapid increase in knowledge and innovation.
In summary, electricity in 1818 was a fascinating but largely mysterious force. While significant discoveries had been made, its true potential was only beginning to be realized.