How Does Temperature Affect the Expansion of a Rectangular Plate?

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on calculating the increase in area of a rectangular plate due to a temperature rise of 199 °C, using the coefficient of linear expansion. The initial attempt to calculate the area change using the formula delta(A)=(alpha)(initial A)delta(T) was incorrect. It was clarified that since area expansion is related to the square of the linear expansion, the coefficient should be multiplied by 4. Participants emphasized understanding how linear expansion affects area, leading to a more accurate calculation. The conversation highlights the importance of correctly applying the principles of thermal expansion in physics problems.
Rblswimmer456
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Homework Statement



A rectangular plate has an area of 76 cm2.
If the temperature increases by 199 ◦C,
calculate the increase in the area. Use
2 × 10−6 (◦C)−1 as an average coefficient of
linear expansion. Ignore terms of second or-
der.
Answer in units of cm2.


Homework Equations


I looked through my physics book and there wasn't really anything about temperature vs area and I looked online but I didn't find much so I thought I could just you use the equation:

delta(L)= (alpha)(initial L)delta(T) and I just replaced L with A..so it read...
delta(A)=(alpha)(initial A)delta(T)...and alpha being the coefficent of linear expansion


The Attempt at a Solution



delta(A)=(2e-6)(76cm2)(199)

..and this was incorrect...any help would be appreciated to point me in the right direction...thank you!
 
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Welcome to PF!

Hi Rblswimmer456! Welcome to PF! :smile:

(ahve a delta: ∆ and a degree: ° and try using the X2 tag just above the Reply box :wink:)
Rblswimmer456 said:
… Use
2 × 10−6 (◦C)−1 as an average coefficient of linear expansion.

delta(A)=(2e-6)(76cm2)(199)

"linear expansion" means that every length is multiplied by 2 10-6 per °C …

so an area is multiplied by … ? :smile:
 
so since its a "rectangular plate" would 2x10-6 be multiplied by 4 to get the total linear expansion?
 
oops!

oops! just realized my last post was wrong :redface:

(not completely awake yet! :zzz:)

should have been …

"linear expansion" means that every length is increased by 2 10-6 per °C …

so every length is multiplied by 1.000002 per °C

so an area is multiplied by … ? :smile:
Rblswimmer456 said:
so since its a "rectangular plate" would 2x10-6 be multiplied by 4 to get the total linear expansion?

(did you mean "linear" ? :confused:)

no, nor the area expansion

if the length was multiplied by 2, then the area would be multiplied by 4

if the length is multiplied by 1.000002, then the area is multiplied by … ? :smile:
 
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