Electronics Engineering Lab

Lab Report 2
4th SEMESTER

Lab Instructor: Sir Khayam Ahmed

Session: ME-14 Section: B Group No:1

Submitted by

Name CMS
Zain Ahmed 428451
Sher Nawaz 411357
Zahid Hussain 409003
Zubaid Ahmed 405056
Nauman Kashif 407964
Saqlain Abbas 406458

School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering

➢ Apparatus:
• Temperature Measurement Bench.
• Two K-type thermocouples.
• Cold water container.
• Electric Kettle.

➢ Theory: Thermocouple
Temperature measurement bench

The Seebeck effect, a fundamental principle of thermoelectricity, states that when two
dissimilar metals are joined at two junctions and a temperature difference exists between
these junctions, a voltage is generated proportional to the temperature difference. This
voltage is termed the Seebeck voltage or thermoelectric voltage.
Basic Mechanism:
Free Electrons: Metals and some semiconductors have free electrons that move randomly
within their structure.
Thermal Energy and Electron Distribution: When a temperature gradient exists across a
conductor, electrons at the hotter end possess higher kinetic energy than those at the colder
end. This creates a net flow of electrons from the hot to the cold regions.
Charge Imbalance: The diffusion of electrons from a hot region to a cold region leads to a
charge imbalance, with the hot side becoming slightly positively charged and the colder side
slightly negatively charged.
Potential Difference: This charge distribution establishes an electric field within the
conductor, creating a potential difference (voltage) between the hot and cold junctions. This
voltage is known as the Seebeck voltage.

➢ Methodology:
1. Fill the water heater with clean water and connect power cord. Insert a Type K
thermocouple wire with one end twisted into the water heater.
2. Fill the flask with water and insert second Type K thermocouple wire with one end twisted
into the flask.
3. Connect the two thermocouples together ensuring that like metals are joined together. A
socket is used to anchor the two plugs when connected for convenience.
4. Connect the thermocouples to the mV indicator as show in the following diagram.
5. Use the mercury glass thermometer to determine the temperature of the water in the
heater and in the flask. If the water in both vessels is at the same temperature, observe
that the reading on the mV indicator is 0mV. This demonstrates that, with both junctions
at the same temperature, no net E.M.F. is produced.
6. Switch on the power to the water heater. As the water heats up, record the temperature
of the water using the mercury glass thermometer together with the voltage reading on
the mV indicator. Record the difference in temperature between the two thermocouple
junctions, together with the voltage reading.
7. At intervals, remove the thermocouple from the flask and insert the lead into the hot
water adjacent to the other thermocouple. Note that the reading on the mV indicator is
0mV, confirming the voltage produced depends on the difference in temperature
between the junctions and not on the magnitude of temperature. Interchange the two
thermocouples, i.e., hot to cold, cold to hot, and observe that the same reading is
obtained but of opposite polarity.
8. Plot the readings obtained of temperature difference between junctions versus voltage
produced by the thermocouples. Note the similarity of the graphs, the difference being
the voltage produced for a specific temperature difference.
9. With the graphs prepared, determine an unknown temperature difference, using the
appropriate pair of thermocouples by measuring the voltage produced. Determine the
corresponding temperature difference from the graph and confirm the difference using
the mercury glass thermometer.
➢ Experimental Data/Observation:
Temperature (oC) Temperature Voltage Induced
Junction 1 Junction 2 Difference (oC) (mV)
44.2 18.4 25.8 0.2
47.6 18.4 29.2 0.4
52 18.4 33.6 0.6
58.5 18.4 40.1 0.8
62.7 18.4 44.3 1
67.5 18.4 49.1 1.2
70.7 18.4 52.3 1.4
75.7 18.4 57.3 1.6
79.3 18.4 60.9 1.8
84.1 18.4 65.7 2
➢ Graph:

Temperature difference vs Voltage

1.5
Voltage

0.5

0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70
Temperature differnece

➢ Discussion of results:
In Seebeck effect temperature and voltage vary linearly but you can see from the graph that
the graph is not totally linear there is some twist in graph that is because of human error and
might be a possibility that there is some sort of apparatus error. Also because of imperfect
thermal contact between the thermocouple and the water or the cold junction, and Losses in
the circuit due to wire resistance.

➢ Conclusion:
This experiment successfully demonstrated the Seebeck effect by constructing a simple
thermocouple and observing the generation of voltage due to a temperature difference across
the junctions within the temperature measurement bench apparatus. The observed
relationship between voltage and temperature reinforces the basic principle of the Seebeck
effect. This experiment provided a valuable hands-on experience understanding the
fundamental concept of the Seebeck effect and its practical applications in temperature
measurement through thermocouples.