Answer to Question #138680 in Molecular Physics | Thermodynamics for Sara

Question

Discuss Seebeck and peltier effect

Answer 1

Seebeck effect is a phenomenon of appearance of emf in a circuit where conductors have different temperature. The magnitude is proportional to temperature difference - the greater is the difference the bigger is emf.

Peltier effect is an effect opposite to Seebeck effect in a sense, that in this case we have two conductors made from different materials in circuit with emf. In the place of contact, a heat is released or absorbed depending on the current direction.

Both effects are connected with contact potential difference that appears at quantum level.

These effects are used widely in practical engineering, electronic devises, automotive industry etc.