Linear thermal expansion

  • #1
2
0
Got this question wrong on this weeks physics quiz and can't figure out why. I keep getting the same answer - which was wrong - over and over. What am I missing?

By how much will a slab of concrete 18 m long contract when the temperature drops from 24 °C to -16 °C? (The coefficient of linear thermal expansion for concrete is 10-5 per degree C.)
Answers are in centimeters.
Formula:
change in length= a* Lo* change in temp
Lo = 1800cm
A = 10-5
change in T = 24- (-16) = 40
I keep coming up with .7 cm
the answer was .5cm
Where did I go wrong? Any help greatly appreciated
Thank you
 

Answers and Replies

  • #2
I can't find an error in your calculations. Maybe the result was rounded in the answers or there's a typo somewhere?
 

Suggested for: Linear thermal expansion

Replies
2
Views
620
Replies
3
Views
1K
Replies
3
Views
456
Replies
1
Views
511
Replies
5
Views
590
Replies
7
Views
797
Replies
4
Views
455
Replies
8
Views
482
Back
Top