How does a voltaic pile work?
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One electrode of the battery has extra electrons it doesn’t really need. The other electrode would really like some extra electrons. Put them in solution that encourages electron motion, and the electrons will start to migrate from the electrode with extra electrons to the one with a deficit of electrons.
After a while the electrode that had extra electrons will run out and have just enough. Similarly, the other electrode will have had its fill of electrons. The thing is electrons have a charge, so those electrons that moved will make one electrode have a negative charge and the other a positive charge. This is potential difference–otherwise known as a voltage. If you connect a wire between the terminals this voltage will cause a current to flow through the wire.
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