What is the Seebeck effect?
The Seebeck Effect describes thermoelectric phenomena by which temperature differences between two dissimilar metals in a circuit converts into an electric current. Discovered in 1821, the Seebeck Effect is one of three reversible phenomena describing similar processes relating to thermoelectricity, conductivity and temperature. The Peltier Effect was first observed in 1834 and the Thomson Effect was first explained in 1851. The Seebeck Effect is named for East Prussian scientist Thomas Johann Seebeck (1770-1831). In 1821, Seebeck discovered that a circuit made of two dissimilar metals conducts electricity if the two places where the metals connect are held at different temperatures. Seebeck placed a compass near the circuit he built and noticed that the needle deflected. He discovered that the deflection’s magnitude increased proportionally as the temperature difference increased. His experiments also noted that the temperature distribution along the metal conductors did not affect th
The Seebeck effect is a phenomenon in which a temperature difference between two dissimilar electrical conductors or semiconductors produces a voltage difference between the two substances. When heat is applied to one of the two conductors or semiconductors, heated electrons flow toward the cooler one. If the pair is connected through an electrical circuit, direct current (DC) flows through that circuit. The voltages produced by Seebeck effect are small, usually only a few microvolts (millionths of a volt) per kelvin of temperature difference at the junction. If the temperature difference is large enough, some Seebeck-effect devices can produce a few millivolts (thousandths of a volt). Numerous such devices can be connected in series to increase the output voltage or in parallel to increase the maximum deliverable current. Large arrays of Seebeck-effect devices can provide useful, small-scale electrical power if a large temperature difference is maintained across the junctions. The See
The Seebeck effect is used in thermocouples. If two dissimilar metals conductors are joined and the two joints (junctions) are kept at different temperatures then a voltage is produced. This is dependant on the tyes of metals used and the temperature difference between the junctions. There is a reverse of the Seebeck effect called the Peltier effect where a current through the two different materials results in a temperature difference between the junctions.
The Seebeck effect is the production of an electric current as a result of a circuit built from two different conducting materials where the junctions of the materials are at different temperatures. This effect is the basis of the thermocouple, and is related to the Peltier effect and the Thomson effect. Note that this effect is not directly related to photovoltaics. See also: • Bartleby – Thermoelectric effects 02E) What is the Peltier effect? The Peltier effect may be defined the production and absorption of heat as a result of an electric current flowing in a circuit built from two different conducting materials. This effect is related to the Seebeck effect and the Thomson effect. Note that this effect is not directly related to photovoltaics. “The Peltier effect is physics at its niftiest. It was originally observed by Jean Peltier in 1834 using dissimilar metals; it’s basically running a thermocouple in reverse. “Nowadays, systems use two N-P junctions. You supply a driving voltag
