Seebeck coefficient

The Seebeck coefficient describes how a material generates an electric voltage when there's a temperature difference across it. Imagine one end of a metal wire is heated while the other remains cool; the heat causes electrons to move from the hot end to the cold end, creating a voltage. The Seebeck coefficient measures this voltage per degree of temperature difference. Essentially, it indicates a material's ability to convert heat into electrical energy, which is fundamental in thermoelectric devices used for power generation or temperature measurement.