Electricity and Magnetism > EMF and Current
DCS# 5E50.60

THERMOELECTRIC GENERATOR



APPARATUS
thermoelectric generator 202-11-E1
two beakers 101-01-C
hot plate
101-12-D
ice Kettering
fan 202-19-E2
digital thermometer John


DESCRIPTION
Device converts thermal energy to electrical energy and vice versa, via the Seebeck effect.  Immerse the metal plates in two different temperature baths.  Unit will generate 10mV/degree temperature difference.  Show this with a multimeter or use it to run a small fan.

To show the reverse effect, connect jacks to a low voltage power supply and plates will become different temperatures.

NOTES
 
Provide a beaker full of boiling water and a beaker of ice water.
The semiconductor elements are connected electrically in series and thermally in parallel, as can be seen in the diagram half way down this page:
http://www.its.caltech.edu/~jsnyder/thermoelectrics/history_page.htm and in this animated gif:  http://www.electracool.com/moduleworking.htm.


REFERENCE
AJP 63, 1051-1052 (1995).