noun

• The phenomenon whereby a variation in electrical potential along the length of a conductor is produced by a variation in temperature along its length.

  The effect is typically observed when two thermoelectrically dissimilar conductors are joined, with the joined ends held at a different temperature from the opposite ends. This results in an electrical potential difference across the opposite ends. This potential difference provides the basis for measuring temperature in a thermocouple, and can also be used to generate electrical power.