Er,pcrnrc HEurlr

F.:w;--=:i

lctricity

Electricity from heat

trdeating coils convert electricity into
heat. This
--i an example of an energy transformation; o.re
:orm_ of energy (electricity) is converted

into
inother form (heat). The opposite process, heat

rt),

:,rnverted to electricity, can be accomptished

by
z thetmocouple.
A thermocouple consists of two wires of differ
ent metals joined at two places so that they
^'orm a loop. If the two places where the wires
;oin (the junctions) are at different tempera:ures, a small electric current flows along the
r-ire. If one junction of the thermocouple is
placed in a glass of iced water and the other is
placed in a candle flame, the current is too
small to light a bulb, but it can be detected
rsing a sensitive current-detecting meter (an

luce

ammeter). Thermocouples are used as thernometers in refrigerators, househoid hot-water

-.1-stems, and in many industrial processes.

Electricity is used to heat an electric steel

furnace. ln an electric arc lulnace, a spark
(or arc) jumps between an electrode and
the metal. This melts the metal so that it
can be run ofl through a hole at the
bottom.

Feel the heating effect

You will need a 4.5 volt battery and

two pieces of wire with bare ends.

Connect a piece of wire to each
terminal of the battery. Now slowly

press together the ends of the

wires using your bare
fingers. You will soon
feel the wires heat
up
the point
where they are
touching. Pull the
wires apart as soon
as you feel the
heating, otherwise the battery
will quickly run down. Also, NEVER
use a high-powered battery for this
experiment or you could burn your
fingers.

at

'are

made
i means

ature.

The

Npw ScrpNcp LBnARy 45