Thermal expansion and coefficient of linear expansion

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The coefficient of linear expansion for the rod material is calculated to be 23 x 10-6 /°C. Initially, the rod measures 20.05 cm at 20°C and expands to 20.11 cm at 270°C. The change in length of the rod is determined by accounting for the expansion of both the rod and the steel ruler, which has a known coefficient of thermal expansion of 11 x 10-6 /°C. The final calculation incorporates the temperature change of 250°C.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of linear thermal expansion equations
  • Familiarity with the concept of coefficients of linear expansion
  • Basic knowledge of temperature measurement in Celsius
  • Ability to perform calculations involving changes in length and temperature
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the derivation of the linear expansion formula, ΔL = LαΔT
  • Study the thermal expansion properties of different materials
  • Learn about the applications of thermal expansion in engineering and construction
  • Explore experimental methods to measure the coefficient of linear expansion
USEFUL FOR

Students studying physics, engineers involved in material science, and professionals working with thermal expansion in design and manufacturing processes.

hils0005
Messages
61
Reaction score
0
at 20C a rod is exactly 20.05cm long on a steel ruler. Both the rod and the ruler are placed in an oven at 270C, where the rod now measures 20.11cm on the same ruler. What is the coefficient of linear expansion for the material of which the rod is made?

Homework Equations


\DeltaL=L\alpha\DeltaT
L(i)rod=20.05cm
L(f)rod=20.11
L(i)steel=20.05 ??
\DeltaT=250C
\alphasteel=11 x 10^-6


The Attempt at a Solution


Ls=20.05cm(11x10^-6)(250C)
L=.055cm

I don't know what to do now-
 
Physics news on Phys.org
The change in length for the rod is 20.11cm-20.05cm plus
the expansion of the steel ruler at its 20.11cm mark:
∆L = La∆T = (20.11 cm)(11 x 10-6 /C˚)(270˚C-20˚C)-- u should assume it
= 0.055 cm
∆L = (20.11cm-20.05cm) + 0.055 cm = 0.115 cm
The coefficient of thermal expansion of the material the rod
is made of is:
a = ∆L/L∆T=23 x 10-6 /C˚
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
5K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
16K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
3K
Replies
8
Views
5K
Replies
1
Views
3K
Replies
1
Views
3K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
2K
Replies
5
Views
10K