Thermal Expansion of Metal Ball Problem

[grantP]

[SOLVED] Thermal Expansion Problem

Homework Statement

A metal ball is just able to pass through a metal ring. When the ball is heated thermal expansion will not allow it to pass through the ring. What would happen if the ring rather than the ball, were heated? Would the ball pass through the heated ring? Does the size of the hole in the ring increase, decrease, or stay the same?

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution

Well at first, I thought it has to be of course the ball could pass through if heated because it would expand therefore making it larger. Would it however enlarge it in all outward directions even in the actual "hole" part making the "hole" area smaller?

 

[hage567]

http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/thermo/thexp2.html#c1

See if that helps.

 

[grantP]

thanks!