Logout Open In App
Open In App
Warning: foreach() argument must be of type array|object, bool given in /var/www/html/web/app/themes/studypress-core-theme/template-parts/header/mobile-offcanvas.php on line 20

Chapter 11: Problem 92

A copper and a constantan wire are formed into a closed circuit by connecting the ends. Now one junction is heated by a burning candle while the other is maintained at room temperature. Do you expect any electric current to flow through this circuit?

Short Answer

Expert verified
Answer: The electric current is generated due to the Seebeck effect, where a temperature difference between the junctions of the two dissimilar conductors (copper and constantan) generates a voltage and consequently, an electric current in the closed circuit.

Step by step solution

01

Understand the Seebeck effect

The Seebeck effect refers to the phenomenon where a temperature difference between two dissimilar conductors generates a voltage and an electric current. In this case, we have a copper and a constantan wire forming a closed circuit. We need to check if these two materials exhibit the Seebeck effect to understand if an electric current can be generated in the circuit.
02

Check the materials for their thermoelectric properties

Copper (Cu) and constantan (an alloy of copper and nickel) are known materials that exhibit thermoelectric properties. They have an appreciable Seebeck coefficient, which means that a temperature difference between their junctions can generate a voltage in a closed circuit.
03

Apply the temperature difference

One junction is heated by a burning candle, while the other junction is maintained at room temperature. This creates a temperature difference between the two junctions. According to the Seebeck effect, this temperature difference will generate a voltage in the circuit.
04

Conclusion

Given that both copper and constantan exhibit thermoelectric properties and that a temperature difference has been established between their junctions, a voltage will be generated in the closed circuit due to the Seebeck effect. This generated voltage, in turn, will cause an electric current to flow through the circuit. So, yes, we expect an electric current to flow through this circuit due to the temperature difference between the junctions.

Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!

  • Full Textbook Solutions

    Get detailed explanations and key concepts

  • Unlimited Al creation

    Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...

  • Ads-free access

    To over 500 millions flashcards

  • Money-back guarantee

    We refund you if you fail your exam.

Start your free trial

Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with Vaia!

One App. One Place for Learning.

All the tools & learning materials you need for study success - in one app.

Get started for free

Most popular questions from this chapter

An air-conditioner operates on the vapor-compression refrigeration cycle with refrigerant-134a as the refrigerant. The air conditioner is used to keep a space at \(21^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\) while rejecting the waste heat to the ambient air at \(37^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\). The refrigerant enters the compressor at \(180 \mathrm{kPa}\) superheated by \(2.7^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\) at a rate of \(0.06 \mathrm{kg} / \mathrm{s}\) and leaves the compressor at \(1200 \mathrm{kPa}\) and \(60^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\). R-134a is subcooled by \(6.3^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\) at the exit of the condenser. Determine \((a)\) the rate of cooling provided to the space, in \(\mathrm{Btu} / \mathrm{h}\), and the COP, (b) the isentropic efficiency and the exergy efficiency of the compressor, ( \(c\) ) the exergy destruction in each component of the cycle and the total exergy destruction in the cycle, and (d) the minimum power input and the second-law efficiency of the cycle.

An air conditioner with refrigerant-134a as the working fluid is used to keep a room at \(26^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\) by rejecting the waste heat to the outside air at \(34^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\). The room is gaining heat through the walls and the windows at a rate of \(250 \mathrm{kJ} / \mathrm{min}\) while the heat generated by the computer, TV, and lights amounts to \(900 \mathrm{W}\). An unknown amount of heat is also generated by the people in the room. The condenser and evaporator pressures are 1200 and \(500 \mathrm{kPa}\), respectively. The refrigerant is saturated liquid at the condenser exit and saturated vapor at the compressor inlet. If the refrigerant enters the compressor at a rate of \(100 \mathrm{L} / \mathrm{min}\) and the isentropic efficiency of the compressor is 75 percent, determine (a) the temperature of the refrigerant at the compressor exit, (b) the rate of heat generation by the people in the room, (c) the COP of the air conditioner, and (d) the minimum volume flow rate of the refrigerant at the compressor inlet for the same compressor inlet and exit conditions.

A thermoelectric cooler has a COP of 0.15 and removes heat from a refrigerated space at a rate of \(180 \mathrm{W}\) Determine the required power input to the thermoelectric cooler, in \(\mathrm{W}\).

A thermoelectric refrigerator is powered by a \(12-\mathrm{V}\) car battery that draws 3 A of current when running. The refrigerator resembles a small ice chest and is claimed to cool nine canned drinks, 0.350 -L each, from 25 to \(3^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\) in \(12 \mathrm{h}\). Determine the average COP of this refrigerator.

An absorption refrigeration system that receives heat from a source at \(95^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\) and maintains the refrigerated space at \(0^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\) is claimed to have a COP of \(3.1 .\) If the environmental temperature is \(19^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\), can this claim be valid? Justify your answer.
See all solutions

Recommended explanations on Physics Textbooks

Oscillations

Read Explanation

Physical Quantities And Units

Read Explanation

Geometrical and Physical Optics

Read Explanation

Thermodynamics

Read Explanation

Electricity and Magnetism

Read Explanation

Quantum Physics

Read Explanation
View all explanations

What do you think about this solution?

We value your feedback to improve our textbook solutions.

Study anywhere. Anytime. Across all devices.

Sign-up for free