How Thermogalvanometers Work: Measuring Temperature with Thermoelectricity

A thermogalvanometer is a device that measures the temperature of a substance by using the principle of thermoelectricity. It consists of two dissimilar metals, one of which is heated and the other is cooled, causing a flow of electric current between them. The amount of current flowing is proportional to the temperature difference between the two metals.

The thermogalvanometer is based on the Seebeck effect, which states that when two different metals are in contact with each other and there is a temperature difference between them, an electric potential difference will be generated. This potential difference can be measured using a voltmeter, and the resulting voltage is proportional to the temperature difference.

In a thermogalvanometer, one of the metals is heated by a known amount, and the other metal is cooled by a known amount. The temperature difference between the two metals causes a flow of current, which can be measured using a galvanometer. By measuring the current flowing through the thermogalvanometer, the temperature of the hot metal can be determined.

Thermogalvanometers are commonly used in laboratory settings to measure temperatures in the range of -200°C to 1000°C. They are also used in industrial applications, such as in the measurement of temperature in furnaces and boilers.