##\qquad## !Thermal expansion is the tendency of matter to increase in size or volume when heated. This occurs because when heated, the particles in a substance gain kinetic energy and move further apart, causing the substance to expand.
When solids are heated, their particles vibrate more rapidly and take up more space, causing the solid to expand. The amount of expansion depends on the material's coefficient of thermal expansion, which is a measure of how much a material expands per unit of temperature change.
Yes, thermal expansion also affects liquids. When liquids are heated, their particles gain kinetic energy and move more freely, causing the liquid to expand. However, liquids generally have a higher coefficient of thermal expansion than solids, meaning they expand more for the same change in temperature.
Thermal expansion can be harmful in certain situations, such as in pipes or containers that are not able to accommodate the expansion of the substance inside. This can lead to cracks or bursts in the material, causing damage or leakage. However, thermal expansion can also be beneficial, as it is used in various applications such as in thermometers and thermostats.
The coefficient of thermal expansion is used to measure thermal expansion. It is typically measured in units of length per degree Celsius or Kelvin. The coefficient can be experimentally determined by measuring the change in length or volume of a substance for a given change in temperature.