What is Linear expansion: Definition and 55 Discussions

Thermal expansion is the tendency of matter to change its shape, area, volume, and density in response to a change in temperature, usually not including phase transitions.Temperature is a monotonic function of the average molecular kinetic energy of a substance. When a substance is heated, molecules begin to vibrate and move more, usually creating more distance between themselves. Substances which contract with increasing temperature are unusual, and only occur within limited temperature ranges (see examples below). The relative expansion (also called strain) divided by the change in temperature is called the material's coefficient of linear thermal expansion and generally varies with temperature. As energy in particles increases, they start moving faster and faster weakening the intermolecular forces between them, therefore expanding the substance.

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  1. T

    Relating coefficients of volume, linear expansion with height

    Homework Statement a liquid with a coefficient of volume expansion B(beta symbol) just fills a spherical shell of volume Vinitial, at a temp of Tinitial. The Shell has average coefficient of linear expansion a(alpha symbol). The liquid is free to expand into a open capillary of area A...
  2. T

    Linear Expansion of Solid problem

    Homework Statement There is an aluminum ring, .07 m in diameter at 5 deg. C. There is also an aluminum shaft whose diameter is .07003 m in diameter at 5 deg. C. What temp. should the shaft be cooled such that the ring will fit over the shaft. Homework Equations /\L = Coefficient...
  3. F

    Calculating Linear Expansion of Iron Rod for 2.51cm Ring Diameter

    An iron rod has a diameter of 2.50cm at 20.0°. To what temperature must it be heated to fit into a ring with an inside diameter of 2.51cm. I'm given: alpha=1.0x10^-5 I'm not sure how to apply it to the △L=(alpha)(object length)△T
  4. L

    Calculate Temperature for Closed Expansion Joint on Steel Bridge

    A 215.m steel bridge has an expansion joint of 18.0cm at one end at -15.0 degrees C. At what temperature would the joint be closed? I would use the equation Change in L=L(alpha)T But would the L equal zero since the joint is closed?
  5. B

    Copper/Brass Cylinders: Compressive Force & Length Change

    a copper cylinder(3 cm long) and a brass cylinder(5 cm long) are stacked end to end. each cylinder has a radius of .25 cm a compressive force of f=6500 N is applied to the right end of the brass where the other copper end is against a sollid object. find the amount by which the length of the...
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