Volume Expansion of Solid and Hollow Objects at Different Temperatures

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In summary, when two bodies made of the same material and with the same external dimensions and appearance are heated, the solid body will expand more than the hollow body due to its greater volume. However, the expansion of the hollow body may not be noticeable from the outside, as the volume increase may be distributed evenly throughout the object. In the case of a hollow cube with a hole one-third the diameter of the cube, the expansion may appear the same for both the hollow and solid versions.
  • #1
spaghetti3451
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Let's say you have two bodies which are made of the same material and have the same external dimensions and appearance, but one is solid and the other is hollow. You increase their temperature, now is the overall volume expansion the same or different?

What do you think?
 
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  • #2
hi failexam! :wink:

tell us what you think, and then we'll comment! :smile:
 
  • #3
The two bodies are made of the same material, so they must have the coefficients of volume expansion. Also, they have the same external dimensions.

But, one body is solid and the other is hollow. So, the solid body has greater volume than the hollow body.

Volume expansion depends on the coefficient of volume expansion, initial volume and external dimensions, so the solid body will expand more than the hollow body.

What do you think? :confused:
 
  • #4
failexam said:
Volume expansion depends on the coefficient of volume expansion, initial volume and external dimensions, so the solid body will expand more than the hollow body.

yes :smile:, in the same sense that a large solid body will expand more than a small solid body …

but does that necessarily mean that a solid body will expand to a bigger diameter than the originally-same-diameter body?

what do you think happens to the hole?

what happens in the easy case of a hollow cube whose hole is one-third the diameter of the whole cube (so the hollow cube is 8 cubes joined together)? :wink:
 
  • #5
(as an aside, wouldn't that have to be 26 cubes? Nine on "top", nine on "bottom", and 8 between them? Basically it should be the number of cubes visible on the exterior of a Rubiks cube)

Anyway, my feeling is that the hollow and solid objects should expand the same amount--at least in appearances, from the outside.
 

1. What is volume expansion?

Volume expansion refers to the increase in volume of a substance when its temperature increases. This is due to the fact that when a substance is heated, its molecules move faster and take up more space, causing the substance to expand.

2. Why does volume expansion occur?

Volume expansion occurs because of the kinetic theory of matter, which states that all particles are constantly in motion. When a substance is heated, the particles move faster and take up more space, resulting in an increase in volume.

3. What are some examples of volume expansion?

Some common examples of volume expansion include the expansion of water when frozen, the expansion of air in a hot air balloon, and the expansion of metals in bridges and buildings on hot days.

4. How does volume expansion affect different materials differently?

Different materials will expand at different rates when heated, depending on their molecular structure. For example, liquids and gases will generally expand more than solids, and metals will expand more than non-metals due to their unique atomic arrangements.

5. What are the practical applications of volume expansion?

Volume expansion has numerous practical applications, such as in thermometers, thermostats, and bimetallic strips. It is also important in understanding the effects of temperature on various materials in engineering and construction.

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