Question

Please assume that you are creating a thermoelectric generator with Material “A” having an electric resistivity of ?_a = 500Ω^-1 ∙ ??^-1 and a thermal conductivity of ?_a = 0.03?/(?? ∙ ?) and Material “B” having an electric resistivity of ?b = 300Ω^-1 ∙ ??^-1 and a thermal conductivity of ?_b = 0.02?/(?? ∙ ?). Assuming that the lengths of these arms are ?_a = ?_b = 1?? and the cross-section area of ?_a = 5??². Please find the following:
1. Cross-sectional area of arm “B”, ?_b, that minimizes Λ?.

2. The minimum achievable Λ? value.

3. The electrical resistance of this thermoelectric generator, ?.

4. The heat conductance of this thermoelectric circuit, Λ.

Answer 1