Thermal Expansion: Find % Change in Density & Metal ID

Thread starter Pinkythermo
Start date Sep 12, 2010
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Expansion Thermal Thermal expansion

In summary, thermal expansion is the tendency of a material to expand or contract when subjected to changes in temperature. It is measured by calculating the percentage change in length, volume, or density of a material when it is heated or cooled. As a material expands or contracts, its density changes accordingly. The formula for finding the percentage change in density due to thermal expansion is: % change in density = (final density - initial density) / initial density x 100%. This property can also be used to identify different types of metals, as each metal has a unique coefficient of thermal expansion that can be measured through changes in density.

Sep 12, 2010

Pinkythermo

Homework Statement

When the temperature of a metal cylinder is raised from 0 degrees C to 100 C,its length increases by 0.23%.

(a) Find the percent change in density.
(b) What is the metal?

Homework Equations

∇L = Lα∇T

The Attempt at a Solution

Last edited: Sep 12, 2010

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Sep 12, 2010

Pinkythermo

please do help sum1

Related to Thermal Expansion: Find % Change in Density & Metal ID

1. What is thermal expansion?

Thermal expansion is the tendency of a material to expand or contract when subjected to changes in temperature.

2. How is thermal expansion measured?

Thermal expansion is measured by calculating the percentage change in length, volume, or density of a material when it is heated or cooled.

3. How does thermal expansion affect the density of a material?

As a material expands due to an increase in temperature, its density decreases. Similarly, as a material contracts due to a decrease in temperature, its density increases.

4. What is the formula for finding the percentage change in density due to thermal expansion?

The formula for finding the percentage change in density due to thermal expansion is: % change in density = (final density - initial density) / initial density x 100%.

5. How can thermal expansion be used to identify different types of metals?

Each type of metal has a unique coefficient of thermal expansion, meaning that they expand and contract at different rates when exposed to changes in temperature. By measuring the percentage change in density, the type of metal can be identified based on its known coefficient of thermal expansion.