Thermal Coefficient Question

[cuttooth]

Homework Statement

There is a picture of two metal bars that are glued together of equal length (doesn't specify the type of metals). At 0 degrees C, they are not bent. At 20 degrees C, they are both equally bent (still attached together, bent the same way). Do they have the same or different thermal coefficients?

Homework Equations

No equations really required for this question - it's conceptual.

The Attempt at a Solution

My guess is that they have the same thermal coefficient. I just want to make sure. Thanks!

 

[rock.freak667]

The Attempt at a Solution

My guess is that they have the same thermal coefficient. I just want to make sure. Thanks!

Yes, they will have the same coefficient, since the lengths are the same.

ΔL=Lα(ΔT)

 

[kerimek]

Yes, you are correct. The fact that at 0 degrees C they are not bent and at 20 degrees C they are both equally bent indicates that they have the same thermal coefficient. This means that they expand and contract at the same rate when subjected to temperature changes. This is a fundamental property of materials and is known as the thermal expansion coefficient. It is a measure of how much a material will expand or contract per unit length when its temperature changes by one degree. In this case, the fact that the two metal bars are glued together does not affect their individual thermal coefficients. Therefore, they will behave in the same way when subjected to temperature changes.