thermoelectricity
n . 热电
热电
thermoelectricity n 1 :
electricity produced by heat (
as in a thermocouple )
Thermoelectricity \
Ther `
mo *
e `
lec *
tric "
i *
ty \,
n . [
Thermo -
electricity :
cf .
F .
thermo ['
e ]
lectricit ['
e ].] (
Physics )
Electricity developed in the action of heat .
See the Note under {
Electricity }.
[
1913 Webster ]
Electricity \
E `
lec *
tric "
i *
ty \ ([=
e ]`
l [
e ^]
k *
tr [
i ^]
s "[
i ^]*
t [
y ^]),
n .;
pl . {
Electricities } ([=
e ]`
l [
e ^]
k *
tr [
i ^]
s "[
i ^]*
t [
i ^]
z ).
[
Cf .
F . ['
e ]
lectricit ['
e ].
See {
Electric }.]
1 . (
Physics )
a property of certain of the fundamental particles of which matter is composed ,
called also {
electric charge },
and being of two types ,
designated positive and negative ;
the property of electric charge on a particle or physical body creates a force field which affects other particles or bodies possessing electric charge ;
positive charges create a repulsive force between them ,
and negative charges also create a repulsive force .
A positively charged body and a negatively charged body will create an attractive force between them .
The unit of electrical charge is the {
coulomb },
and the intensity of the force field at any point is measured in {
volts }.
[
PJC ]
2 .
any of several phenomena associated with the accumulation or movement of electrically charged particles within material bodies ,
classified as {
static electricity }
and {
electric current }.
Static electricity is often observed in everyday life ,
when it causes certain materials to cling together ;
when sufficient static charge is accumulated ,
an electric current may pass through the air between two charged bodies ,
and is observed as a visible spark ;
when the spark passes from a human body to another object it may be felt as a mild to strong painful sensation .
Electricity in the form of electric current is put to many practical uses in electrical and electronic devices .
Lightning is also known to be a form of electric current passing between clouds and the ground ,
or between two clouds .
Electric currents may produce heat ,
light ,
concussion ,
and often chemical changes when passed between objects or through any imperfectly conducting substance or space .
Accumulation of electrical charge or generation of a voltage differnce between two parts of a complex object may be caused by any of a variety of disturbances of molecular equilibrium ,
whether from a chemical ,
physical ,
or mechanical ,
cause .
Electric current in metals and most other solid coductors is carried by the movement of electrons from one part of the metal to another .
In ionic solutions and in semiconductors ,
other types of movement of charged particles may be responsible for the observed electrical current .
[
PJC ]
Note :
Electricity is manifested under following different forms : (
a )
{
Statical electricity },
called also {
Frictional electricity }
or {
Common electricity },
electricity in the condition of a stationary charge ,
in which the disturbance is produced by friction ,
as of glass ,
amber ,
etc .,
or by induction . (
b )
{
Dynamical electricity },
called also {
Voltaic electricity },
electricity in motion ,
or as a current produced by chemical decomposition ,
as by means of a voltaic battery ,
or by mechanical action ,
as by dynamo -
electric machines . (
c )
{
Thermoelectricity },
in which the disturbing cause is heat (
attended possibly with some chemical action ).
It is developed by uniting two pieces of unlike metals in a bar ,
and then heating the bar unequally . (
d )
{
Atmospheric electricity },
any condition of electrical disturbance in the atmosphere or clouds ,
due to some or all of the above mentioned causes . (
e )
{
Magnetic electricity },
electricity developed by the action of magnets . (
f )
{
Positive electricity },
the electricity that appears at the positive pole or anode of a battery ,
or that is produced by friction of glass ; --
called also {
vitreous electricity }. (
g )
{
Negative electricity },
the electricity that appears at the negative pole or cathode ,
or is produced by the friction of resinous substance ; --
called also resinous electricity . (
h )
{
Organic electricity },
that which is developed in organic structures ,
either animal or vegetable ,
the phrase animal electricity being much more common .
[
1913 Webster ]
3 .
The science which studies the phenomena and laws of electricity ;
electrical science .
[
1913 Webster ]
4 .
Fig .:
excitement ,
anticipation ,
or emotional tension ,
usually caused by the occurrence or expectation of something unusual or important .
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