Linear expansion, also known as thermal expansion, is the tendency of a material to change its shape and size when exposed to changes in temperature.
Linear expansion is caused by the movement and vibration of atoms and molecules within a material when it is heated. This movement causes the material to expand and increase in size.
Linear expansion is typically measured using a coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE), which represents the amount of change in length per unit length of a material for every degree of temperature change. CTE is usually expressed in units of 1/°C or 1/°F.
Linear expansion is an important concept in engineering and construction, where it is used to design and build structures that can withstand changes in temperature without breaking or deforming. It is also used in the manufacturing of various products, such as thermometers, bi-metallic strips, and railway tracks.
To minimize or control linear expansion, materials with low CTE values can be used, or materials can be designed with compensating structures that counteract the effects of expansion. In some cases, materials can also be pre-stressed to counteract the expansion before it occurs.