The Seebeck effect and the Peltier effect are both thermoelectric phenomena, but they describe different processes:
1. **Seebeck Effect**: This effect occurs when a temperature difference between two different conductors or semiconductors generates a voltage. In essence, if one end of a thermoelectric material is heated while the other end is kept cool, an electric voltage is produced. This principle is commonly used in thermocouples for temperature measurement.
2. **Peltier Effect**: This effect is the inverse of the Seebeck effect. It occurs when an electric current is passed through two different conductors or semiconductors, causing heat to be absorbed at one junction and released at the other. This is used in thermoelectric coolers, where electrical energy is converted into a temperature difference, effectively cooling one side of the device while heating the other.
In summary, the Seebeck effect generates electricity from temperature differences, while the Peltier effect uses electricity to create temperature differences.