What is "voltaic arc"

Voltaic \Vol*ta"ic\, a. [Cf. F. volta["i]que, It. voltaico.]

1. Of or pertaining to Alessandro Volta, who first devised apparatus for developing electric currents by chemical action, and established this branch of electric science; discovered by Volta; as, voltaic electricity.

2. Of or pertaining to voltaism, or voltaic electricity; as, voltaic induction; the voltaic arc.

   Note: See the Note under Galvanism.

   Voltaic arc, a luminous arc, of intense brilliancy, formed between carbon points as electrodes by the passage of a powerful voltaic current.

   Voltaic battery, an apparatus variously constructed, consisting of a series of plates or pieces of dissimilar metals, as copper and zinc, arranged in pairs, and subjected to the action of a saline or acid solution, by which a current of electricity is generated whenever the two poles, or ends of the series, are connected by a conductor; a galvanic battery. See Battery, 4. (b), and Note.

   Voltaic circuit. See under Circuit.

   Voltaic couple or Voltaic element, a single pair of the connected plates of a battery.

   Voltaic electricity. See the Note under Electricity.

   Voltaic pile, a kind of voltaic battery consisting of alternate disks of dissimilar metals, separated by moistened cloth or paper. See 5th Pile.

   Voltaic protection of metals, the protection of a metal exposed to the corrosive action of sea water, saline or acid liquids, or the like, by associating it with a metal which is positive to it, as when iron is galvanized, or coated with zinc.

Arc \Arc\, n. [F. arc, L. arcus bow, arc. See Arch, n.]

1. (Geom.) A portion of a curved line; as, the arc of a circle or of an ellipse.

2. A curvature in the shape of a circular arc or an arch; as, the colored arc (the rainbow); the arc of Hadley's quadrant.

3. An arch. [Obs.]

   Statues and trophies, and triumphal arcs.
   --Milton.

4. The apparent arc described, above or below the horizon, by the sun or other celestial body. The diurnal arc is described during the daytime, the nocturnal arc during the night.

   Electric arc, Voltaic arc. See under Voltaic.