5E50.30 - Thermoelectric Magnet

Code Number:
5E50.30
Demo Title:
Thermoelectric Magnet
Condition:
Good
Principle:
Thermocouple and Electromagnets
Area of Study:
Thermoelectricity
Equipment:
Thermoelectric loop, electromagnet iron core with plate, liquid nitrogen, Bunsen burner or propane torch, masses.
Procedure:

Secure the loop into the iron core with the set screws.  Place one end of the loop into liquid nitrogen for a few minutes.  Then, heat the other end with the propane torch.  After several minutes the electromagnet should be working well enough to  attach the plate and then hang a 1 kg mass off of it.

The following table gives the elements in the thermoelectric series in order:

  • Silicon
  • Bismuth
  • Nickel
  • Cobalt
  • Palladium
  • Platinum
  • Uranium
  • Copper
  • Manganese
  • Titanium
  • Mercury
  • Lead
  • Tin
  • Chromium
  • Molybdenum
  • Rhodinium
  • Iridium
  • Gold
  • Silver
  • Aluminium
  • Zinc
  • Tungsten
  • Cadmium
  • Iron
  • Arsenic
  • Tellurium
  • Germanium

Taken from The Thermoelectric Series

References:
  • E - 340:  "Thermoelec. Magnet & Solar Cubs",  DICK and RAE Physics Demo Notebook.
  • H-374:  "Thermocouple Magnet - Seebeck",  DICK and RAE Physics Demo Notebook.
  • Stanislaw Bednarek, "Thermoelectric Motor", AJP, Vol. 63, #11, Nov. 1995, p. 1051.
  • Adolf Cortel, "Thermoelectric Generators", Physics Education, Vol. 42, # 1, Jan. 2007.
  • R. W. Pohl, "Metals as Conductors of the First Class.  Thermo-electric Pressures", Physical Principles of Electricity and Magnetism, p. 268.
  • Various e-mail correspondence with Adolf Cortel.

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