Calculating Coefficient of Thermal Expansion for a Rod

[Indy2424]

A rod is measured to be exactly 21.81 cm long using a steel ruler at a temperature of 21.5°C. Both the rod and the ruler are placed in an oven with a temperature of 345.0 °C where the rod now measures 21.93 cm using the same ruler. What is the coefficient of thermal expansion for the material of which the rod is made?

I have spent over 8 hours trying to figure this out and cant. I need help mainly figureing out delta L of the rod. Any help would be greatful

 

[BobMonahon]

Hi - Do you know the coefficient of thermal expansion of the steel ruler?

If so, you can determine how much the the ruler expanded (from point 0 to point 21.93) at 345.0 ^oC.

Given that, you know the new length of the rod.

Try it, see if it works.

Regards, BobM

 

[Indy2424]

11x10^-6 is the coef I have tried what I think is everything and still no luck on the right answer. I am pretty sure I am setting it up right DeltaL = coef L DeltaT but can't seem to work it out to get the right coef for the rod

 

[LowlyPion]

11x10^-6 is the coef I have tried what I think is everything and still no luck on the right answer. I am pretty sure I am setting it up right DeltaL = coef L DeltaT but can't seem to work it out to get the right coef for the rod

Maybe try 13*10^-6 for the steel ruler?

http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/tables/thexp.html#c1

 

[farmerburns]

The coefficient of thermal expansion for steel is (10.5e-6), according to my book.

 

[ideasrule]

Does it make sense that if you know the new length of the rod, you could easily calculate the rod's coefficient of expansion? If so, can you calculate what 21.93 cm on the ruler would equal if you cooled the ruler down? That would be the real length of the heated rod.