Questions tagged [thermoelectricity]
179 questions
31
votes
5 answers
Is it possible to build a thermoelectric nuclear power plant?
Current nuclear power plants are essentially an enhanced version of a kettle, which seems like a stupidity caused by a lack of other options. We heat the water which turns to steam which rotates the turbine, which is total waste of energy due to the…
hijarian
- 515
16
votes
2 answers
Minimal temperature achievable by vanilla Peltier element?
I wonder, are there any fundamental issues leading to reduced performance of Peltier elements at cryogenic temperatures (-100C and lower)?
What is theoretical/practical minimum temperature achievable by a cascade of Peltier elements, provided that…
BarsMonster
- 2,492
9
votes
1 answer
Cause of negative Thomson's effect?
Why do metals like iron, cobalt, and nickel show a negative Thomson's effect? What is the reason for other metals like copper and zinc to show a positive Thomson's effect? Is there any reasonable idea explaining this other than experimental…
user63923
7
votes
4 answers
What is the basic explanation of a thermocouple?
What is the working principle of a thermocouple?
Apparently, it isn't the contact voltage but, well, what is it? Finally it seems to be about the thermodiffusion but there is quite a lot going on so I would like to have an explanation in one or two…
Ben
- 1,557
6
votes
3 answers
How do charge carriers move thermal energy? (Peltier effect)
I am having hard time understanding how the charge carriers (electrons and holes) are able to move thermal energy.
I am on a high school physics level, so I will probably have a hard time understanding it if there are advanced quantum physics…
user36037
- 61
6
votes
1 answer
Seebeck effect and the need for two conductors
The Seebeck effect is really interesting and the reasoning behind the phenomenon does seem to make sense, that is, that electrons move from the hotter areas to the colder areas. What I don't understand is the need for two conductors. I don't see why…
John Hon
- 2,384
6
votes
2 answers
Understanding the Seebeck effect
Thermoelectricity is, as I understand it, the difference in voltage between the hot and cold ends of two dissimilar materials. If two materials are connected at two different junctions, the hot junction will effectively liberate electrons which…
Dov
- 1,035
5
votes
2 answers
Continuously feeding an evaporating micro-black hole?
What would happen if you created a micro-black hole and could continuously feed it as quickly as it evaporates? Is it possible that it would remain relatively stable?
If so, how might such a thing be continuously fed?
5
votes
2 answers
Is there a theoretical efficiency limit for thermoelectric generators?
Typical Thermoelectric/Seebeck generators operate at 5-8% efficiency.
Is there an upper limit to the conversion of heat flux (temperature differences) directly into electrical energy?
2080
- 397
5
votes
3 answers
When drift velocity equals thermal velocity?
In some papers, I can see the drift velocity of electrons equaling thermal velocity. Can anyone tell me when both almost equal each other?
Hisham Alghamdi
- 151
5
votes
1 answer
Do electrons really diffuse when a temperature gradient is applied?
In many websites and books, it is generally said that the charge carriers, be it electrons or holes, diffuse through the considered material when a temperature gradient is applied. However I have found exactly zero justification of such a claim, be…
5
votes
2 answers
Thermoelectric voltage over a solder joint of two identic copper wires
My background: I'm engineer of electronic HW engineering and embedded computer systems. During repair of a vintage digital voltmeter (resulution 1µV) I discovered an effect that probably only a physicist can answer. I isolated the problem and…
Mario Blunk
- 51
5
votes
4 answers
Temperature distribution in a current carrying conductor
A rod of uniform cross section and composition is connected across a battery. Let the middle part of the rod(when divided into three equal parts) is heated uniformly.
A book says that the temperature in all the three regions will become non uniform…
Aniswar S K
- 71
5
votes
4 answers
What do we mean when we say an electron collides with a molecule or atom?
When current flows through a conductor, it is said that the flowing electrons collide with the molecules or atoms of that conductor which causes resistance. The collision of electrons with molecules seems confusing and unclear to me. What is…
user136782
- 299
5
votes
2 answers
Why does hydrogen give up its electron to a platinum catalyst?
All descriptions of a Hydrogen fueled fuel cell (such as this one) Start with $H_2$ giving up its electrons to a platinum coated anode. Then the $H^+$ ions (protons really) travel through the electrolyte where they find $O_2$ and the $e^-$ they had…
mwengler
- 1,275