Thermal expansion in heat engine

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the minimum initial diameter of a steel cylindrical chamber required to accommodate a brass piston with a diameter of 25 cm at 20 degrees Celsius, which must function at 150 degrees Celsius. The coefficients of linear thermal expansion are provided: alpha for brass is 2x10^-5 and for steel is 1.2x10^-5. The temperature change (dT) is 130 degrees Celsius. The formula for linear thermal expansion, dL = alpha * L0 * dT, is applicable here, confirming that the diameter is a linear dimension.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of linear thermal expansion concepts
  • Familiarity with the coefficients of thermal expansion for different materials
  • Basic knowledge of temperature effects on material dimensions
  • Ability to apply mathematical formulas related to thermal expansion
NEXT STEPS
  • Calculate the final diameter of the brass piston at 150 degrees Celsius using dL = alpha * L0 * dT
  • Determine the minimum diameter of the steel chamber required to prevent rubbing
  • Explore the differences between linear and volumetric thermal expansion
  • Research applications of thermal expansion in engineering design
USEFUL FOR

Mechanical engineers, materials scientists, and students studying thermodynamics or heat engine design will benefit from this discussion.

skittlebrew
Messages
1
Reaction score
0
A brass piston of diameter 25 cm at 20 degrees C must be able to function at 150 degrees C.
In order to do so it must fit inside a steel cylidrical chamber. What must the minimum initial diameter of the cylinder be so that the piston never rubs against it.
alpha=2x10^-5 for brass
alpha=1.2x10^-5 for steel
dT=130 degrees C

dL=alpha*L0*dT
dV=beta*V0*dT

I don't know whether this is Volume or linear thermal expansion. I think it is volume but there is no given value for length of the piston or cylinder so initial volume and delta V are unknown.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Hint: diameter is a linear dimension quantity.

p.s. welcome to PF.
 

Similar threads

Replies
49
Views
4K
Replies
8
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
10K
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
5K
  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
3K
Replies
3
Views
8K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K