Homework Help: Thermal Expansion of Rod Problem

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data

In a certain experiment, it is necessary to be able to move a small radioactive source at selected, extremely slow speeds. This is accomplished by fastening the source to one end of an aluminum rod and heating the central section of the rod in a controlled way. If the effective heated section of the rod is 4.7 cm long, at what constant rate must the temperature of the rod be changed if the source is to move at a constant speed of 86 nm/s?


2. Relevant equations

e = aLT, e=elongation, a = coefficient of thermal expansion, L = initial length, T = change in temperature


3. The attempt at a solution

Since we are trying to determine the rate of change of temperature, I differentiated the equation for thermal expansion in terms of time: de/dt = aL(dT/dt)

The change in length with respect to time (de/dt) is equivalent to the velocity at which the rod is expanding (given as 86 x 10^(-9) m/s). We also know the coefficient of thermal expansion for aluminum (24 x 10^(-6) degC^-1) and the original length (.047 m). Solving for the rate of change of temperature (dT/dt), I got an answer of 0.0762411348 degC/s, however, this answer is incorrect. I am unsure as to where I am going wrong (all units seem correct). Any help would be most appreciated. Thanks.