Calculating Length Change of Heated Copper Rod

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    Copper Expansion
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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the change in length of a copper rod due to thermal expansion when heated from 22.0 Celsius to 100.0 Celsius. The subject area is thermal expansion in the context of materials science and physics.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to apply the linear expansion formula to determine the change in length of the copper rod. Some participants question the expected answer and whether the original poster's calculations are correct.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants exploring the validity of the calculations and expressing uncertainty about the expected results. Some guidance has been offered regarding the application of the linear expansion formula and the nature of thermal expansion.

Contextual Notes

There is a mention of the typical units for the linear expansion coefficient and the context of thermal expansion being a small effect, which may influence the interpretation of results.

Dantheman1
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Homework Statement


A copper rod is 40.0cm long at 22.0 Celsius. If the rod is heated to 100.0 Celsius, what is it's increase in length.

Homework Equations


Linear expansion of copper is 16.8*10^-6

The Attempt at a Solution


Change in Length= (length)(change in temp.)(α)
So...
(40.0)(78.0)(16.8*10^-6)
=0.052 cm is the change in length?

Please let me know if/what I did wrong here.
 
Last edited:
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What answer are you expecting?
 
Hypersphere said:
What answer are you expecting?

Don't know, I acctually may have not got it wrong i just wanted to make sure.
 
Dantheman1 said:
Don't know, I acctually may have not got it wrong i just wanted to make sure.

OK. Well, if it makes you feel better, those values (assuming you give α in the usual units) and the linear expansion formula does give me the same answer. Basically, thermal expansion is a small effect, which thus mainly matters for larger things.
 

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