Linear expansion: Can someone check my work?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the linear expansion of a steel tower due to temperature changes. The original poster presents a problem involving a steel tower's height at two different temperatures and applies the coefficient of linear expansion for steel to calculate the change in height.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to apply the formula for linear expansion, identifying the necessary variables and calculating the change in height based on the given temperatures. Some participants affirm the calculation, while others provide informal confirmations.

Discussion Status

The discussion appears to have reached a point where the original poster's calculation is acknowledged as correct by other participants. However, the conversation remains informal and lacks a detailed exploration of the underlying concepts.

Contextual Notes

There is a repetition of the original problem statement across posts, indicating a potential lack of clarity or emphasis on the calculation process. The informal nature of the responses suggests a focus on affirmation rather than deeper analysis.

Dmitri10
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If a steel tower stands 300 m tall on an average day, 22 degrees C, how much taller is it on a hot day, 40 degrees C?

The coefficient of linear expansion for steel is 11 (10)^-6/degree C.

The equation for change in length of a material is (change in L) = L * α * (change in T)

I know what α is, and I know what (change in T) is. I think that L is equal to 300.

300 m * 11 (10)^-6/degree C * 18 degrees C = 0.0594 m

So the tower is 0.0594 meter taller?
 
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Dmitri10 said:
If a steel tower stands 300 m tall on an average day, 22 degrees C, how much taller is it on a hot day, 40 degrees C?

The coefficient of linear expansion for steel is 11 (10)^-6/degree C.

The equation for change in length of a material is (change in L) = L * α * (change in T)

I know what α is, and I know what (change in T) is. I think that L is equal to 300.

300 m * 11 (10)^-6/degree C * 18 degrees C = 0.0594 m

So the tower is 0.0594 meter taller?
Yes (call it 6 cm):smile:
 
Your answer is right.
 
Awesome! Thank you both.
 

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