Red Seal Electrician Practice
Meters and troubleshootingQuestion 745 of 1506

What is the Seebeck effect?

  1. Current in a junction of dissimilar metals heats it and makes it expand
  2. A small voltage is produced because of a temperature difference along a wire or at a junction of dissimilar metals
  3. A magnetic field moving across a coil makes a voltage in the coil
  4. Light produces a voltage in silicon
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Correct answer: A small voltage is produced because of a temperature difference along a wire or at a junction of dissimilar metals

A temperature difference along a wire, or at a joint of two different metals, gives a small voltage. A thermocouple uses this to measure temperature.

Source: Lessons in Electric Circuits I: DC (Kuphaldt), 9.5: Thermocouples

Practice meters and troubleshooting

Questions last reviewed: 18 October 2026