Seebeck Effect

                                          
                                            Seebeck Effect                                                         Thomas Seebeck


Seebeck effect is a simple theory, of how we can generate electricity from heat. In 1821, Thomas Seebeck observed the changes of a compass needle, where it was in a round of two wires, connected to a hot body. Seebeck called this thermo-magnetic as he didn't know that it generated electricity, as it created a magnetic field but Hans Christian Orstead observed that it generated electricity. So, he called it thermo-electric effect. As heat moves from hot to cold body, hot atoms also move from hot to cold body. Atoms have electrons, so, electrons also move from hot to cold body. So electricity is generated.

Experiment you can try at home:

You can try this experiment at home also. Take any two different wires ( made up of different metals or non-metals, like copper and steel ). I used a copper wire and a nail made up of steel. Take the copper wire, and round it along one side of the nail. More rounds ( loops ), means more electricity. Connect the other end of the copper wire and the other end of the nail to an LED or a motor or any other objects like that. Take the side of the nail, rounded with copper wire, near to a candle flame ( CAUTION : Don't bring very close to the flame, or else the wire can burn) or any hot object. You can see the LED glowing, or the motor rotating.

                                                                                                                          Article By - M. Santosh