# Thermal Expansion of a circular steel plate

1. Apr 17, 2014

### Aoiumi

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data
A circular steel plate of radius 15 cm is cooled from 350 C to 20 C. By what percentage does the plates area decorate ?

2. Relevant equations

A=∏r^2
Af = Ai (1+2∂ΔT)
specific heat of steel = 12 x 10^-6

3. The attempt at a solution
r = 15 cm = .15 m
Ai = .070685 m^2

Af = Ai (1+2∂ΔT)
= (.070685m^2)(1 + 2 (12 x 10^-6)(330 C))
= 23.3 m^2?

What am I doing wrong? The final area does not look right at all. Thank you.

2. Apr 17, 2014

### Simon Bridge

This would be an approximate form. Is the approximation valid for this problem?

Did you use the linear or volume coefficient for ∂?
Where did you get the value from?

If the temperature decreased, is ΔT positive or negative?

3. Apr 17, 2014

### rl.bhat

= (.070685m^2)(1 + 2 (12 x 10^-6)(330 C))
It should be
= (.070685m^2)[(1 + 2 (12 x 10^-6)(330 C)]
Now try.

4. Apr 17, 2014

### Simon Bridge

... you've got one extra parenthesis.

"(.070685m^2) ( 1 + 2 (12 x 10^-6)(330 C) )" is fine as it is written.

But (.070685m^2)(1 + 2 (12 x 10^-6)(330 C)) ≠ 23.3m^2 ... well spotted.

... so I should add "check your arithmetic" to my list :)

5. Apr 17, 2014

### rl.bhat

Yes. You are right.

6. Apr 17, 2014

### Aoiumi

So, Af = .0712 m^2
Then percent decrease should be (.0712 - .070685)/.070685 or 72%. Does this make sense?

7. Apr 17, 2014

### Simon Bridge

This is not correct.
1. (.0712 - .070685)/.070685 ≠ 0.72

2.
The percentage change in area A would be: $$p=100\frac{A_f-A_i}{A_i}$$ ... you swapped final and initial over.
If $A_i > A_f$ then the negative percentage tells you the change was a decrease.

Go back to your original calculation - is your final area bigger or smaller than the initial area?
Now compare with the question: should the plate be bigger or smaller after cooling?

Hint: $\Delta T = T_f-T_i$

Last edited: Apr 17, 2014
8. Apr 18, 2014

### Aoiumi

That helped. Thank you!

9. Apr 18, 2014

### Simon Bridge

No worries.

For the future: it is best practice to do all the algebra before you plug in the numbers.

Considering you have the same trouble with arithmetic that I do, I figure you'd do better to do what I do and avoid arithmetic as long as possible.

For example - the final answer you want is a percentage, so derive the equation for the percentage first: \begin{align}A_\% &= 100\frac{A_f-A_i}{A_i}\\ &=100\frac{A_i\big(1+2\alpha\Delta T\big)-A_i}{A_i}\\ &=200\alpha\Delta T\end{align} .. so you could have avoided a bit of work.

I know the algebra looks more intimidating than the numbers, but it is much easier to troubleshoot.