Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

Ok so for science fair we used a project set up and given on science buddies that was supposed to turn heat into electricity using a multimeter, banana plugs and a thermocouple wire. We did the procedure and measured the mV/electrical potential difference by putting the end of the thermocouple in cold and hot things. But now it doesn't say what else to do to convert heat into electricity which is our science fair so SOMEONE PLEASE HELP AND INFORM US HOW TO CONVERT HEAT INTO USABLE ELECTRICITY USING THESE ITEMS.

Hi oliviaodiorne,

I'm assuming that you're working on the project described here:

https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... hermometer

In this project you measure voltages produced by thermocouples at different temperatures. As explained in the project background, this is a demonstration of converting heat into electricity. One utility of this effect is to make a thermometer from two conductors of dissimilar metals (a thermocouple). These devices are widely used to measure temperature.

I hope this helps. Please post again if you have more questions.

A. Norman