Definition

Noun: 1. A primary cell used as a standard of electromotive force: A "standard cell" is a type of electrochemical cell (like a battery) designed to produce a very precise and stable voltage. It is not used for providing power but serves as a reference to calibrate and measure voltage in scientific and engineering instruments.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The laboratory used a Weston standard cell to calibrate its voltmeters.
  • The electromotive force of a standard cell remains constant under controlled conditions.
  • Modern digital instruments have largely replaced physical standard cells, but they remain a historical benchmark.

Advanced Usage

• "Weston standard cell": A specific, common type of standard cell using cadmium and mercury, known for its exceptional stability and a voltage of approximately 1.018636 volts at 20°C.
  • The Weston standard cell became the international standard for voltage from 1911 until 1990.

Variants and Related Words

• Primary cell (n): A battery that generates electrical current from an irreversible chemical reaction and is not designed to be recharged. A standard cell is a specialized type of primary cell.
• Voltage standard (n): A general term for any device or system used to define a precise voltage. A standard cell is a type of voltage standard.
• Electromotive force (EMF) (n): The electrical potential generated by a source like a battery or cell. A standard cell provides a standardized EMF.

Synonyms

• Reference cell: A cell used as a standard for comparison.
• Voltage reference cell: Emphasizes its function as a source of a known voltage.

Related Terms (Not Phrasal Verbs or Idioms)

• Calibration (n): The process of checking or adjusting the accuracy of a measuring instrument. A standard cell is used for the calibration of voltmeters.
• Metrology (n): The science of measurement. Standard cells are important tools in electrical metrology.

Noun

1. a primary cell used as a standard of electromotive force