In a thermocouple, the potential between the two functions is due to ...
Thomson effect, the evolution or absorption of heat when an electric current passes through a circuit composed of a single material with a temperature difference along its length. This heat transfer is superimposed on the common production of heat associated with the electrical resistance to currents in conductors.
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In a thermocouple, the potential between the two functions is due to ...
Thomson's Effect in Thermocouples
Thomson's Effect is the effect of temperature gradient on the electromotive force (EMF) of a thermocouple. In other words, it is the change in temperature of a conductor due to the flow of electric current through it.
Explanation
When two dissimilar metals are joined together to form a closed circuit, a voltage is generated due to the contact between the two metals. This voltage depends on the temperature difference between the two junctions. This voltage is known as the thermoelectric voltage or EMF.
The thermoelectric voltage generated by the thermocouple is proportional to the temperature difference between the two junctions. However, this voltage is not constant and changes with temperature. This change in voltage with temperature is known as the Seebeck effect.
Thomson's effect, on the other hand, is the change in temperature of a conductor due to the flow of electric current through it. When a current flows through a conductor, the temperature of the conductor changes due to the Joule heating effect. This change in temperature is known as the Thomson effect.
In a thermocouple, the temperature gradient along the conductors in the circuit causes a potential between the two junctions. This is due to the Thomson effect, which causes a voltage to be generated in the conductor due to the temperature difference between the two junctions.
Conclusion
The potential between the two junctions in a thermocouple is due to the temperature gradient along the conductors in the circuit. This effect is known as Thomson's effect. The EMF generated by the thermocouple is proportional to the temperature difference between the two junctions and changes with temperature due to the Seebeck effect.