Seebeck Effect
The direct conversion of a temperature gradient into an electrical voltage across a conductor or semiconductor.
Governing formula
V = S ΔT = S (T_hot - T_cold)
SI unit
μV/K (Seebeck Coefficient S)
In depth
Heating one end of a conductor causes thermal diffusion of charge carriers toward the colder end, establishing a thermoelectric potential difference V proportional to temperature difference ΔT.
Examples in the real world
Thermocouple temperature sensors and Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generators (RTG) powering deep-space probes like Voyager and Curiosity.