Thermodynamics question: density, linear expansion and temperature

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the relationship between density, temperature, and linear expansion in thermodynamics. The original poster presents a problem involving an object's density at two different temperatures and seeks assistance in determining the density at a higher temperature.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the relationship between linear expansion and density, questioning how changes in dimensions affect density. There are discussions about the appropriate equations to use, including volume expansion formulas and the relationship between mass, volume, and density.

Discussion Status

Several participants have provided insights and alternative approaches to the problem. Some have suggested expressing volume expansion in terms of density, while others have questioned the correctness of certain equations. There is an ongoing exploration of how to relate density changes to temperature without knowing the mass of the object.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that the problem involves assumptions about the object's mass and the applicability of linear versus volumetric expansion equations. There is also mention of a professor's sheet that provides formulas, which may influence the understanding of the problem.

Patricia Reid
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An object has a density of 1250 kg m3 at 10C and a coefficient of linear expansion of α = 2.5 × 10−5 1 /K . What is the object’s density when the temperature is 25C?

I have tried using the equation ΔL=αL° ΔT but this equation has nothing to do with density.

the answer should be: 1248.6

Your help would be greatly appreciated!
 
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Patricia Reid said:
An object has a density of 1250 kg m3

This is a volume mass density, which should have units of mass / volume. The expansion of the object is not restricted to one dimension.

Patricia Reid said:
I have tried using the equation ΔL=αL° ΔT but this equation has nothing to do with density.

This is not true. Any change in dimensions will be accompanied by a change in density. Why is this? Is the object's mass changing? How are density and volume related? Is there an equation that fits better for a change in volume?

Good luck.
 
uselesslemma said:
This is a volume mass density, which should have units of mass / volume. The expansion of the object is not restricted to one dimension.
This is not true. Any change in dimensions will be accompanied by a change in density. Why is this? Is the object's mass changing? How are density and volume related? Is there an equation that fits better for a change in volume?

Good luck.

Ok thanks! So you could use the equation β=3α and then use the volume expansion formula. The equation that relates density to volume is ρ=M/V... but you don;t know what the mass is.
 
Patricia Reid said:
The equation that relates density to volume is ρ=M/V... but you don;t know what the mass is.

Did you try expressing the volume expansion formula in terms of ρ instead of V? You should find a result that is independent of the object's mass.
 
[QUO TE="uselesslemma, post: 5061484, member: 542831"]Did you try expressing the volume expansion formula in terms of ρ instead of V? You should find a result that is independent of the object's mass.[/QUOTE]

Ok so you go...
V=3αVΔT
=3αΔTM/ρ
=3(2.5*10-5)(298-283)M/1250
=9.0*10-7M

Am I on the right track?
 
Patricia Reid said:
V=3αVΔT

Check the correctness of this equation by comparing to the one you provided for linear expansion. V should not cancel algebraically...otherwise how would you find ρ?
 
uselesslemma said:
Check the correctness of this equation by comparing to the one you provided for linear expansion. V should not cancel algebraically...otherwise how would you find ρ?

So I ended up using the equation V=(1+β(Tf-Ti)) Vi and substituting v=m/ρ which gave me the right answer!

Thanks for your help!
 
Patricia Reid said:
So I ended up using the equation V=(1+β(Tf-Ti)) Vi and substituting v=m/ρ which gave me the right answer!

Thanks for your help!
Why did you do "1+" in your formula?
 
forceanger said:
Why did you do "1+" in your formula?

I'm not really sure... it was on a sheet my professor handed out it's suppose to be a parametrization for the volume or something it should have actually have been written as V(T)≈(1+β(Δt))V0
 
  • #10
Patricia Reid said:
I'm not really sure... it was on a sheet my professor handed out it's suppose to be a parametrization for the volume or something it should have actually have been written as V(T)≈(1+β(Δt))V0
This looks correct to me.

Chet
 
  • #11
Formula: Δρ=3αρΔT
Δρ=3*2.5*10-5*1250*(25-10)
Δρ=1.406 Kgm3
As temperature increases, volume increases. As volume increases, density decreases.
Thus as temperature increases, density decreases.
Therefore the final density at 25°C=initial density - final density
=1250-1.406
=1248.594 Kgm3
 
  • #12
ρ2=ρ1/1+βΔT
use this formula it should work.
 

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