Definition

1. Noun:
   • A form of voltaic cell once used as a standard for electromotive force: A Clark cell is a specific type of electrochemical cell (a device that produces electrical energy from chemical reactions) that was historically employed as a primary reference standard for measuring electromotive force (EMF), which is the voltage generated by the cell.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The Clark cell provided a stable voltage reference for early electrical measurements.
  • Scientists calibrated their instruments against a standard Clark cell.

Advanced Usage

• "Clark standard cell": This is a fuller name emphasizing its role as a calibration standard.
  • The laboratory maintained a Clark standard cell for precise voltage comparisons.

Variants and Related Words

• Weston cell (n): A later, more stable type of standard cell that largely replaced the Clark cell.
  • The Weston cell became the new international standard for EMF.

Synonyms

• Standard cell: A general term for an electrochemical cell used as a voltage standard.
• Voltaic cell: A broader term for any cell that generates electricity through chemical action.

Notes on Meaning

• The Clark cell is an obsolete technical term from the history of science and electrical engineering. It is named after its inventor, Latimer Clark. Its key characteristic was providing a reproducible and stable voltage (approximately 1.434 volts at 15°C) to calibrate other instruments. It is not a term used in everyday language but appears in historical or specialized technical contexts.

Noun

1. a form of voltaic cell once used as a standard for electromotive force