PURPOSE: To demonstrate that dissimilar metals in contact generate a voltage which varies with temperature.
DESCRIPTION: A copper wire and an iron wire are wound together at one end and inserted into either boiling water or ice water. The other ends of the wires are connected to a digital voltmeter. The copper/iron thermocouple generates a voltage, but two copper wires in the same configuration will not.
SUGGESTIONS:
EQUIPMENT: Two copper wires, iron wire, beaker of ice water, beaker of hot water on hot plate, digital voltmeter with clip leads.
SETUP TIME: 5 min.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |