Electromotive force of cells at low temperatures

The practical importance of a knowledge of the electromotive behavior of dry cells and storage batteries at low temperatures has arisen from their use in the Arctic and at high altitudes. Measurements on dry cells and storage batteries cooled to -72 C by carbon dioxide snow and to -170 C by the use of liquid air were made. The Gibbs-Helmholtz equation was applied to the observations, and excellent agreement between theory and observation was found. At the lowest temperatures high values of voltage were sometimes observed, and the polarity was often reversed. A possible explanation based on the Nernst equation is given.