Why Is Thermal Expansion the Same for Solid and Hollow Spheres?

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SUMMARY

The thermal expansion of a homogeneous solid sphere and a hollow sphere made of the same material is equivalent due to their geometric properties and the linear expansion coefficient. The equations governing this phenomenon are (ΔA) = A * 2α * (ΔT) for area and (ΔV) = V * 3α * (ΔT) for volume, where α is the coefficient of linear expansion, A is area, and V is volume. Both spheres increase in radius proportionally to the same temperature change, confirming that their thermal expansion characteristics are identical when dimensions are equal.

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  • Understanding of thermal expansion concepts, specifically linear expansion.
  • Familiarity with mathematical equations related to area and volume changes.
  • Knowledge of coefficients of linear expansion for different materials.
  • Basic algebra for manipulating equations involving radii and temperature changes.
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harshaxnim
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Explain why the thermal expansion of a spherical shell made of a homogeneous solid is equivalent to that of solid sphere of the same material.



I guess these equations would be of some help.
(ΔA)=A*2α*(ΔT)
α→ Coefficient of linear expansion.
A→ Area
T→ Temperature

(ΔV)=V*3α*(ΔT)
α→ Coefficient of linear expansion.
V→ Volume
T→ Temperature




I'm not sure if i understood the question right.
By "equivalent thermal expansion" i guess they mean to say the radius increases by same amount during the expansion.
So i set out relating the two radii.
Took two spheres, one hollow, the other solid, of same dimensions, i.e., same radii.



For the Shell,

(ΔA)=A*2α*(ΔT)
Rf2-Ri2=Ri2*2α*ΔT
Rf=Ri√(2α*ΔT+1)

For the solid sphere, similarly, relating the volume,
Rf=Ri∛(3α*ΔT+1)


But, failed to prove them to be the same.
So what exactly do they intend to ask? And how do i hit it?...
 
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