# Cubic and Linear Thermal Expansion.

1. Apr 29, 2013

### SherlockOhms

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data
1. a 100m long copper wire of diameter 4mm is heater from 20C to 80C. What is the change in the length of the wire?
2. a 0.2m diameter aluminium sphere is cooled from 250C to 0C. What is the change in the volume of the sphere?
The coefficients of linear and cubic expansion were given for both materials.

2. Relevant equations
α(L) = dL/dT(1/L)
α(V) = dV/dT(1/V)

3. The attempt at a solution
For the first question is it not just a simple substitution exercise using the formula α(L) = dL/dT(1/L)? The fact that the diameter was provided is confusing me though.
For the second question isn't it just using the second equation α(V) = dV/dT(1/V), where V will be 4/3 * (pi) * r^3 and dT is -250?
Thanks, point out any incorrect observations!

Last edited: Apr 29, 2013
2. Apr 29, 2013

### Staff: Mentor

Your equations are the same as

$$\frac{d\ln{L}}{dT}=α_L$$
$$\frac{d\ln{V}}{dT}=α_V$$

You need to integrate these equations with respect to T to get the change in length or volume. Usually, when you do this, there will be a roundoff issue. You need to make use of the relation ln(1+x)≈x, or the relation exp(x)-1≈x to deal with this roundoff issue.

The diameter was deliberately included in the problem statement to confuse you and to test your understanding.

Your method for solving the second question is on target, and is appropriate for the first question also.

3. Apr 30, 2013

### SherlockOhms

Brilliant. Thanks for the help!

4. Apr 30, 2013

### SherlockOhms

Actually, would you mind explaining how that equation is integrated to give the equations which I gave above?

5. Apr 30, 2013

### Staff: Mentor

These are the equations you gave above, just re-expressed mathematically.

If you integrate these equations, you get:

ln(L/Linit)L(T-Tinit)

ln(V/Vinit)V(T-Tinit)

If the change in L from its initial length is small, then you can write:

ln(L/Linit)=ln(1+(L-Linit)/Linit)≈(L-Linit)/Linit

The same goes for the change in V.

6. Apr 30, 2013

### SherlockOhms

I see. Thanks for this!

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