A Formal Physics Laboratory Report

EXPERIMENT

THERMOCOUPLE
DETERMINATION OF THE THERMOCOUPLE CONSTANT

Class: CC19 - Group: 01 Lecturer’s comment

Full name:
1.Tăng Gia Bảo -ID: 2152429
2.Nguyễn Lê Anh Tuấn -ID: 2153079
3.Lê Dương Khánh Huy -ID: 2153380

I. Aims/Purposes:
– Determine the thermocouple constant
II. Method, Equipment and procedure:
1. Theory

- A thermocouple is a closed electric circuit consisting of two dissimilar

conductors A and B that are joined together (Figure 1). If junctions 1 and 2
are at different temperatures T1 and T2 (T1>T2), respectively, an electric
current that is called thermoelectric current is produced within the circuit.
- Electromotive force that generates the thermoelectric current is known as
thermal electromotive force E.
- Thermal electromotive force is yielded because free electrons diffuse from
the metal with a higher density of free electrons to the metal with a lower
density at junctions 1 and 2.

- Theories and experiments have proved that the magnitude of thermal electromotive force depends
on the nature of the two metals and the temperature difference between the two junctions of the
thermocouple. Within a certain temperature range (depending on thermocouple types), thermal
electromotive force E increases proportionally to the temperature difference (T 1−T 2)between the
two junctions as denoted in Equation 1:
ξ nđi =C .(T 1 i−T 2)

where C is the thermocouple constant. For metal thermocouples, the value of E is small; therefore C is
μV μV
measured in the unit of either
K
or
K
. Thermocouples can be used as a thermometer to measure
temperature or a low-power electric source (obtained by converting thermal energy to electric energy).

- Prior the use of a thermocouple, we have to sample the

thermocouple; that is, we have to investigate the temperature range
 (depending on the thermocouple type) where thermal electromotive
force is linearly dependent on the temperature difference (T 1−T 2)
between its two junctions. As a result, the graph representing the
function of
ξ nđi =C .(T 1 i−T 2)
is a segment (Figure 2), and constant C calculated as in Equation 2:

End
C= =tg α
T 1−T 2

- Since resistance RV of millivoltmeter mV is much larger than internal resistance r of the

thermocouple, applying Ohm’s law to a closed circuit, we have:

E=I .(RV + r) ≈ I . RV =U V where I is the current intensity, Uv is the reading on millivoltmeter mV.

- Thus, for every value of temperature difference (T 1−T 2) between the hot junction (T1) and the
cold junction (T2) of the thermocouple, we measure the corresponding value of thermal
electromotive force E on millivoltmeter mV. Therefore, we can draw the graph representing
thermocouple sampling and determine the value of constant C.

Milivoltmeter
MC-9691
2 1
4 0 150
4 mV
3
6 "0" 5
R 15
1,5 150
K
+ 

Figure 3
2. Method

Use indirect measurement

3. Equipment

1. T Thermocouple (chromel-alumel); 6. Wine thermometer (0 ÷ 1000C);

2. Thermocouple holder; 7. Boiler (220V - 300W);

3. MC-897 electronic millivoltmeter; 8. Digital multimeter 3,1/2 Digits
 4. Two 250ml experiment glasses; 9. Set of wires.

5. Digital thermometer (-500C ÷ 1500C);

4.Procedure

i. Step 1
Connect the wires to form the electric circuit as demonstrated in Figure 3. Set the range selector
knob of millivoltmeter mV at position 15. Set the digital multimeter at the measurement range of
200mVDC. Use a piece of wire to short circuit the positive and negative probes. Turn sensitivity
knob R counterclockwise all the way left.
Plug digital milivoltmeter mV in the mains of 220V. Press button K on the front and

millivoltmeter mV starts. Wait for 4 ÷ 5 minutes, then perform zeroing the measurement range of

millivoltmeter mV by turning slowly the zero corrector to move the pointer to 0, and the digital
multimeter also displays 0. Then, the maximum value of the measurement range on the
millivoltmeter mV is equal to 15mV. Turn knob "0" until the reading is 5mV on the electronic
millivoltmeter, then read the value of Ukđ on the digital multimeter to derive the amplification
coefficient k = Ukđ /5mV. Afterward, repeat zeroing for milivoltmeter mV, disconnect the wire from
the positive and negative probes and connect it to the thermocouple.
ii. Step 2

Place the bulbs of thermometers 3 and 4 at the same level as the junctions of thermocouples 1 and 2

in the middle of boiler 5 and experimental glass 6, respectively. Wait for 4÷5 minutes, then read and

record the reading of temperature T 1 on thermometer 3 and that of temperature T2 on thermometer 4

in Table 1. If T1 is equal to T2, the pointer of millivoltmeter mV must point at 0.
iii. Step 3

Plug the boiler 5 in the mains of 220V. Wait until the water in the boiler begins to boil, then
unplug the boiler 5 and let the water in the boiler cool down (avoid a quick cool down).
For every value of T1, record the reading of Ukđi on the digital multimeter to calculate thermal
electromotive force Enđ and write it down in Table 1. Repeat this process until temperature T 1
decreases to 40°C.
Note: When the range selector "RANGE" of millivoltmeter mV is set at X10 and sensitivity
knob R is turned all the way left, the maximum limit on millivoltmeter mV is 15mV.

1. Step 4
Read and record the following data in Table 1:
 - The level of accuracy δv and the maximum value Um on the measurement range of electronic
milivoltmeter mV.
- The level of accuracy δv and the maximum value Um on the measurement range of digital
milivoltmeter mV.
- Accuracy ΔT of thermometers 3 and 4.

III. Equation
U hs
k= ; ∆ U k =δ V . U max ; ∆ U hs=δ . U hs +n α . α (mV )
Uk
∆ k ∆U hs ∆ U k
δ= = +
k U hs Uk
∆ (T 1 −T 2 )=∆T 1 +∆ T 2=2 ∆ T (℃)
U ∆ E nđi ∆ k ∆ U kđi ∆ k δ . U kđi +n α . α
Enđi = kđi (mV ) ; ε 1= = + = +
k E nđi k U kđi k U kđi
n

∑ (T 1 i−T 2) . E nđi
i=1
C=
❑

ξ nđi =C .(T 1 i−T 2)

n
1
S 2= . ∑ ( E nđi−ξ nđi )2
n−1 i=1
2
S
(∆C )2= n
∑ (T 1i −T 2 )2
i =1

IV. Questions
1. Present the structure of a thermocouple and the cause of thermal electromotive force within a
thermocouple.
2. What factors does the magnitude of thermal electromotive force depend on? State clearly the
relation between thermal electromotive force E and the temperature difference (T1 – T2) between the
two junctions of a thermocouple.
3. Why is sampling needed prior to the use of a thermocouple to measure temperature?
4. Why is the cooling-down process instead of the heating-up process of the hot junction selected
to sample a thermocouple? Sampling a thermocouple is a process to investigate the dependence of
thermal electromotive force on the temperature difference between the two junctions as denoted in
equation E = C.(T1 – T2).
5. Present how to determine thermocouple constant C using a graph to demonstrate the
dependence of thermal electromotive force on the temperature difference between the two junctions
of the thermocouple as denoted in equation E = C.(T1 – T2)?
6. State clearly advantages of a thermocouple over a liquid thermometer (wine or mercury) in
temperature measurement.
 \

V. Tables of data

Table 1: Milivolt-meter mV: δv=1.5 % ; U max =15( mV )

Digital millivolt-meter mV: δv=0.5 % ; n=3 ;α =0.1 mV
Digital thermometer: ∆ T =0.3(° C )
Measurement T1(° C) T1-T2 ∆ (T 1−T 2) Ukd(mV) End(mV) ∆ End
/
T2 = 28(° C)
1 95 67 0.6 150.6 5.02 0.296
2 90 62 0.6 132.4 4.413 0.260
3 85 57 0.6 119.3 3.977 0.239
4 80 52 0.6 105.2 3.507 0.210
5 75 47 0.6 96.2 3.207 0.192
6 70 42 0.6 84.7 2.283 0.172
7 65 37 0.6 74.9 2.497 0.152
8 60 32 0.6 67.7 2.257 0.138
9 55 27 0.6 58.4 1.947 0.121
10 50 22 0.6 48.1 1.603 0.101
11 45 17 0.6 39.8 1.327 0.086
VI. Calculate values and errors
1. Calculate values and errors:

∆ U k =δ V .U max=1.5 % ×15=0.225∆ U hs=δ V . U hs +n α . α =0.5 % × 150+ 3× 0.1=1.05 (mV )

U 150
k = hs = =30
Uk 5
∆ k ∆ U hs ∆ U K 1.05 0.225
= + = + =0.052
k U hs UK 150 5
∆ k=1.56
∆ ( T 1−T 2 )=∆ T 1 + ∆T 2=2 ∆ T =2 ×0.3=0.6(° C)
U k d 150.6
● End = = =5.02(mV ) 1

k 30 1

∆ En d ∆ k ∆ U k d 1.56 0.5 % ×150.6 +3 ×0.1

=1
+ = + 1
=0.059
E nd1 k Ukd 30 1
150.6
∆ E n d =0.059 × E n d =0.059× 5.02=0.296
1 1

132.4 Ukd
● End = =4.413 (mV ) 2
=
k 30 2

∆ En d ∆ k ∆ U k d 1.56 0.5 % × 132.4+3 ×0.1

2
= + = + 2
=0.059
E nd2 k U kd 30 2
132.4
∆ E n d =0.059 × En d =0.059× 4.413=0.260
2 2

119.3 Ukd
● End = =3.977(mV ) 3
=
k 30 3

∆ En d ∆ k ∆ U k d 1.56 0.5 % × 119.3+ 3× 0.1

3
= + = + 3
=0.06
E nd3 k U kd 30 3
119.3
∆ E n d =0.06× En d =0.06 ×3.977=0.239
3 3

Ukd 105.2
● End = 4
= =3.507(mV )
4
k 30
∆ En d ∆ k ∆ U k d 1.56 0.5 % ×105.2+3 ×0.1
4
= + = + 4
=0.06
E nd4 k Ukd 30 4
105.2
∆ E n d =0.06 × En d =0.06 × 3.507=0.210
4 4

U k d 96.2
● End = = =3.207(mV ) 5

k 30 5

∆ En d ∆ k ∆ U k d 1.56 0.5 % × 96.2+3 ×0.1

5
= + = + 5
=0.06
E nd5 k U kd 30 5
96.2
∆ E n d =0.06× En d =0.06 ×3.207=0.1924
5 5

84.7 Ukd
● End = =2.823(mV ) 6
=
k 30 6

∆ En d ∆ k ∆U k d 1.56 0.5 % × 84.7+3 × 0.1

6
= + = + 6
=0.061
E nd6 k U kd 30 6
84.7
∆ E n d =0.061× E n d =0.061× 2.823=0.172
6 6

74.9 U kd
● End = =2.497(mV ) 7
=
k 30 7

∆ En d ∆ k ∆U k d 1.56 0.5 % × 74.9+3 ×0.1

7
= + = + 7
=0.061
E nd7 k U kd 30 7
74.9
∆ E n d =0.06× En d =0.061 ×2.497=0.152
7 7

67.7 Ukd
● End = =2.257(mV ) 8
=
k 30 8

∆ En d ∆ k ∆U k d 1.56 0.5 % × 67.7+3 ×0.1

8
= + = + 8
=0.061
E nd8 k U kd 30 8
67.7
∆ E n d =0.061× E n d =0.061× 2.257=0.138
8 8

58.4 Ukd
● End = =1.947(mV ) 9
=
k 30 9

∆ En d ∆ k ∆U k d 1.56 0.5 % × 58.4+3 ×0.1

9
= + = + 9
=0.062
E nd9 k U kd 30 9
58.4
∆ E n d =0.062× E n d =0.062× 1.947=0.121
9 9

48.1 U kd
● End = =1.603(mV ) 10
=
k 30 10

∆ En d ∆ k ∆ U k d 1.56 0.5 % × 48.1+3 ×0.1

10
= + = + 10
=0.063
E nd10 k Uk d 30 10
48.1
∆ E n d =0.063 × E n d =0.063× 1.603=0.101
10 10

39.8 U kd
● End = =1.327 (mV ) 11
=
k 30 11

∆ En d ∆ k ∆ U k d 1.56 0.5 % ×39.8+3 × 0.1

11
= + = + 11
=0.065
E nd11 k Uk d 30 11
39.8
∆ E n d =0.064 × En d =0.065× 1.327=0.086
11 11

U kd U kd
End = = =X (mV )
i
k 30
 ∆ En d ∆ k ∆ U k d 1.56 0.5 % ×U k d + 3× 0.1
i
= + =i
+ i
=ans
Endi k Uk d
i
30 Ukd i

∆ E n d =ans × En d =(round ¿three decimals)

i i

2. Plot the graph of Enđ = C.(T1 – T2) on a millimeter paper

Scale: horizontal axis: 5°C/cm; vertical axis: 0,5 mV/cm

Enđ (mV)

(T1 -T2)(°C)

Note:
- One point on the graph corresponds to one pair of E and T = T1 - T2 in Table 1 and is
represented by an error rectangle with its sides being 2ΔT and 2ΔE.
- The graph must be a continuous and sharp line such that the centers of the error rectangles
distribute equally on both sides of the line.

3. Determination of the thermocouple constant

There are two methods to determine the thermocouple constant.
3.1 Method 1
In the working range of temperature, let the graph representing the function E = C.T be segment
OA. Then, the average C and the absolute error ΔC of constant C are calculated as follows:
n

∑ (T 1 −T 2 )×(En d )
i i i

C= i=1
❑
 11

∑ (T 1 −T 2 )×( E n d )=¿ 1563.301

i
22154
=0.071(mV /℃)
i
i=1
C=
❑
ε n d =C ( T 1 −T 2 )
i i

ε n d =C ( T 1 −T 2 ) =0.071× 67=4.757(mV )
1 1

ε n d =C ( T 1 −T 2 ) =0.071× 62=4.402(mV )
2 2

ε n d =C ( T 1 −T 2 ) =0.071× 57=4.047( mV )
3 3

ε n d =C ( T 1 −T 2 )=0.071 ×52=3.692(mV )
4 4

ε n d =C ( T 1 −T 2 ) =0.071× 47=3.337(mV )
5 5

ε n d =C ( T 1 −T 2 ) =0.071 ×42=2.982(mV )
6 6

ε n d =C ( T 1 −T 2 ) =0.071× 37=2.627(mV )
7 7

ε n d =C ( T 1 −T 2 ) =0.071× 32=2.272(mV )
8 8

ε n d =C ( T 1 −T 2 ) =0.071× 27=1.917(mV )
9 9

ε n d =C ( T 1 −T 2 )=0.071× 22=1.562(mV )
10 10

ε n d =C ( T 1 −T 2 )=0.071 ×17=1.207(mV )
11 11

or ε nd is a point on the line corresponding to ( T 1 −T 2) .

i i

n
1
× ∑ ( E −ε )
2 2
S=
n−1 i=1 n d n d i i

11
1 1
¿> S 2= × ∑ ( En d −ε n d )2 = ×0.184702 ≈ 0.018
11−1 i=1 10 i i

2
( ∆ C ) 2= n S
∑ ( T 1 −T 2 )2 i
i=1
2
2 S
¿> ( ∆ C ) =
11
0.018
∑ ( T 1 −T 2) 2= 22154 =8.125 ×10−7
i
i=1
¿> ∆ C=√❑

VII. Graph

Record the results in the box below:

(mV/ 0C)

3.2 Method 2
3.2.1 Calculation of C
Let α be the tilt angle of segment OA with respect to the
horizontal axis, we have:
K y . AH
C=tgα= =( mV /℃)
K x . OH
3.2.2 Calculation of error ΔC (Review item IV of the lecture
"How to determine the error of the measurement of physical
quantities"):
Applying differential, we obtain:
 dα 2
dC=d(tgα)= 2
=(1+tg α) . dα
cos α
Since C 2=tg 2 α ≪ 1, we deduce equation 4:
∆ C=(1+C2 ). ∆ α ≈ ∆ α (4 )
Here, we can consider Δα the angle between two lines starting from origin O and going through
the two endpoints of the error segment 2ΔE. Δα is approximated as denoted in equation 5:
2∆ E
∆α≈
OA

OA= √ ❑

And 2 ∆ E=¿
Thus, according to equation 4, we obtain: ∆ C ≈ ∆ α =¿

Record the results in the box below:

= ......................................  (mV/ 0C)

VIII. Question:

1. Present the structure of a thermocouple and the cause of thermal electromotive force within a
thermocouple
Structure :
A thermocouple is a closed electric circuit consisting of two dissimilar conductors A and B that are
joined together.
Cause of thermal electromotive force:
If junctions 1 and 2 are at different temperatures T1 and T2 (T1>T2), respectively, an electric current
that is called thermoelectric current is produced within the circuit.
2. What factors does the magnitude of thermal electromotive force depend on? State clearly the
relation between thermal electromotive force E and the temperature difference (T1 – T2) between the
two junctions of a thermocouple.
The magnitude of thermal electromotive force depends on the nature of the two metals and the
temperature difference between the two junctions of the thermocouple.
Within a certain temperature range (depending on thermocouple types), thermal electromotive
force E increases proportionally to the temperature difference (T1 - T2) between the two
junctions as denoted in
Enđ = C T1 -T2 (1)
where C is the thermocouple constant. For metal thermocouples, the value of E is small.

3. Why is sampling needed prior to the use of a thermocouple to measure temperature?

We have to investigate the temperature range (depending on the thermocouple type) where thermal
electromotive force is linearly dependent on the temperature difference (T1 - T2) between its two
junctions

4. Present how to determine thermocouple constant C using a graph to demonstrate the

dependence of thermal electromotive force on the temperature difference between the two junctions of
the thermocouple as denoted in equation E = C.(T1 – T2)?
 Thermal electromotive force is yielded because free electrons diffuse from the metal with a
higher density of free electrons to the metal with a lower density at junctions 1 and 2. Theories
and experiments have proved that the magnitude of thermal electromotive force depends on the
nature of the two metals and the temperature difference between the two junctions of the
thermocouple. Within a certain temperature range (depending on thermocouple types), thermal
electromotive force E increases proportionally to the temperature difference (T1 - T2) between
the two junctions as denoted in Equation :
E = C(T1-T2)

5. State clearly advantages of a thermocouple over a liquid thermometer (wine or mercury) in

temperature measurement.

Thermocouples have two major advantages over traditional thermometers: they can be used over much
wider ranges of temperatures and are usually smaller. They do, however, have disadvantages as well.
They require a precision voltmeter and the materials used to make them are often expens
‘