PASCO ET-8782 Energy Transfer– Thermoelectric - Manual (Page 9)

Model No. ET-8782 Energy Transfer –Thermoelectric
9 ®
Experiment 1:
Conservation of Energy and the First Law of
Thermodynamics
Introduction
In this activity you will study the flow of energy in the experimental set-up as you run it through a
cycle.
First you will operate the apparatus in Heat Pump mode, in which energy is supplied to the peltier,
and the peltier pumps heat from one aluminum block to the other. After a temperature difference
has been established between the blocks, you will switch the peltier into Heat Engine mode, in
which heat flows from the hot block, through the peltier, and into the cold block. The peltier will
convert some of the heat that flows out of the hot block to electrical energy, which it will supply to
the load resistor.
During this cycle you will follow the energy as in moves in different forms from the power supply
to the peltier (electrical energy), in and out of the aluminum blocks (heat or thermal energy), and
into the load resistor (electrical energy). As you do the experiment, bear in mind the law of
conservation of energy and the first law of thermodynamics. How do they relate to the transfer of
energy within the system?
Set-Up
1. Input Power: Set the Heat Pump/Heat Engine switch to the neutral position (straight up).
Connect the power supply using banana patch cords to the input power terminals on the
circuit board as shown in picture below. Note the polarity.
Equipment Required Part Number
Thermoelectric circuit board part of ET-8782
Foam insulators (qty. 2) part of ET-8782
Banana patch cords (qty. 5) part of ET-8782
Temperature cables (qty. 2) part of ET-8782
DC Power Supply (10 V, 1 A minimum) SE-9720A or equivalent
PASPORT Voltage/Current Sensor PS-2115
PASPORT Quad Temperature Sensor PS-2143
PASPORT interface(s) PS-2001 or equivalent
DataStudio software See PASCO catalog
“Conservation of Energy” configuration file for DataStudio part of ET-8782