Physics: Section 12.
5
Linear Expansion / Volumetric Expansion
Thermal Expansion
Most solids and liquids expand when heated and
contract when cooled.
In most solids and liquids, when temperature rises,
their molecules vibrate more and have more kinetic
energy.
At these higher levels of vibration, the particles aren’t
bound to each other as tightly, so the object expands.
Thermal Expansion
The amount an object expands can be calculated for both
one-dimensional (linear) and three-dimensional (volumetric)
expansion.
The amount a material expands is characterized by the
material’s coefficient of expansion. Each substance has a
constant for which describes its ability to expand.
Linear constants are denoted by the Greek letter alpha()
Volumetric constants are denoted by the Greek letter beta (β)
Thermal Expansion
Linear Expansion
Amount of linear expansion (L) depends on the following:
1. T (Tfinal – Tinitial) : Change in temperature (ºC)
2. Li : Original length
3. (alpha) : Coefficient of thermal expansion
Units for Coefficient of Thermal Expansion
units: 1/ºC
Linear Expansion Formula
L = Li T
Change
In
Temperature
(Final – Initial)
Original
Length
Coefficient
Of Thermal
Change Expansion
In
Length
Linear Expansion Formula
L = Li T
Li L
Linear Expansion - FYI
Alpha () is material dependent, i.e. it’s different for steel,
aluminum, concrete, etc.
Since the coefficient of linear expansion is different for
different materials, therefore each substance has its own
rate of expansion.
Reference Sheet
Linear Expansion Example #1
A Brass strip is 3 cm long at 0ºC. How long will it be at 100ºC if
the coefficient of linear expansion for Brass is 1.8 x 10-5/ºC?
ΔL = ()(Li)(Δt)
ΔL = (1.8 x 10-5/ºC)(3 cm)(100ºC - 0ºC )
ΔL = 0.0054 cm
Lf = ΔL + Li
Lf = 0.0054 cm + 3 cm
Lf = 3.0054 cm
Linear Expansion Example #2
Metric rulers are calibrated at 20ºC. What is the error in a
measurement of 500 mm if made at 45ºC. ( = 1.2 x 10-5/ºC)
ΔL = ()(Li)(Δt)
ΔL = (1.2 x 10-5/ºC)(500 m)(45ºC - 20ºC)
ΔL = 0.15 mm
Linear Expansion Example #3
A glass jar ( = 0.3x10-5/ºC) has a metal lid ( = 1.6x10-5/ºC )
which is stuck. If you heat them by placing them in hot
water, the lid will be:
(A) Easier to open
(B) Harder to open
(C) Same
Linear Expansion Example #4
A brass rod is 0.70 m long at 40ºC. Find the length of this rod
at 50ºC.
Linear Expansion Example #5
Compute the increase in length of 50 m of copper wire when
its temperature changes from 12 to 32ºC.
Linear Expansion Example #6
The diameter of a hole drilled though a piece of brass is 1.5
cm at 20.0ºC. What is the diameter at 15.0ºC?
J.S. Miller Video – Thermal Expansion
[Link]
Volumetric Expansion
Volumetric Expansion
Volumetric Expansion
Amount of volume expansion (V) depends on the following:
1. T (Tfinal – Tinitial) : Change in temperature (ºC)
2. Vi : Original volume
3. Beta (): Coefficient of volumetric expansion
Units for Coefficient of Volumetric Expansion:
units: 1/ºC
Volumetric Expansion Formula
V = Vi T
Change In
Temperature
Final - Initial
Original
Volume
Coefficient
Of Volumetric
Change Expansion
In
Volume
Volumetric Expansion Formula
V = Vi T
Vi
Vi + V
Volumetric Thermal Expansion Example #1
The coefficient of volumetric expansion of mercury is
1.8 x 10-4 /ºC. If the temperature of 10 L of mercury
increases by 30 ºC, how much volume will the mercury
increase by?
ΔV = ()(Vi)(Δt)
ΔV = (1.8 x 10 -4 )(10 L)(30 °C)
ΔV = 0.054 L
Volumetric Thermal Expansion Example #2
Suppose that the gas tank in your car is completely filled
when the temperature is 17ºC. How many gallons will spill
out of the 20 gallon steel tank when the temperature rises
to 35ºC?
gas = 9.5 x 10 -4 /ºC
steel = 0.36 x 10 -4 /ºC
Volumetric Thermal Expansion Example #2
We need to find the difference from the expansion of the
gas and the expansion of the steel:
ΔVgas = ()(Vi)(Δt)
ΔVgas = (9.5 x 10-4/ºC)(20 gal)(18ºC)
ΔVgas = 0.342 gallons
ΔVsteel = ()(Vi)(Δt)
ΔVsteel = (0.36 x 10-4/ºC)(20 gal)(18ºC)
ΔVsteel = 0.01296 gallons
ΔVfinal = Δvgas - ΔVsteel
ΔVfinal = 0.342 gal – 0.01296 gal
ΔVfinal = 0.32904 gal
Volumetric Thermal Expansion Example #3
The hot water heating system of a building contains 60.0 ft3
of water in steel pipes. How much water will overflow into
the expansion tank if the system is filled at 40ºC and then is
heated to 80ºC?
(steel = 0.36 x 10 -4 /ºC)
Volumetric Thermal Expansion Example #3:
We need to find the difference from the expansion of the
water and the expansion of the steel:
ΔVwater = ()(Vi)(Δt)
ΔVwater = (2.1 x 10-4/ºC)(60 ft3)(40°C)
ΔVwater = 0.504 ft3
ΔVsteel = ()(Vi)(Δt)
ΔVsteel = (0.36 x 10-4/ºC)(60 ft3)(40ºC)
ΔVsteel = 0.0864 ft3
ΔVfinal = Δvwater - ΔVsteel
ΔVfinal = 0.504 ft3 – 0.0864 ft3
ΔVfinal = 0.4176 ft3
Volumetric Thermal Expansion Example #4
A thermometer contains 0.50 cm3 of alcohol at room
temperature (20ºC) when Stanley takes it into the physics lab
for an experiment. By how much does the volume of alcohol
in the thermometer change after it sits in an 80ºC Pyrex glass
beaker?
(βalcohol = 11.2 x 10-4/ºC)
Volumetric Thermal Expansion Example #4:
We need to find the difference from the expansion of the
alcohol and the expansion of the glass:
ΔValcohol = ()(Vi)(Δt)
ΔValcohol = (11.2 x 10-4/ºC)(.50 cm3)(60ºC)
ΔValcohol = 0.0336 cm3
ΔVglass = ()(Vi)(Δt)
ΔVglass = (0.09 x 10-4/ºC)(.50 cm3)(60ºC)
ΔVglass = 0.00027 cm3
ΔVfinal = Δvalcohol - ΔVglass
ΔVfinal = 0.0336 cm3 – 0.00027 cm3
ΔVfinal = 0.0333 cm3
Volumetric Thermal Expansion Example #5
A Pyrex glass of water with volume 1 liter is completely filled
at 5ºC. How much water will spill out of the Pyrex glass when
the temperature is raised to 85ºC?
Volumetric Thermal Expansion Example #5:
We need to find the difference from the expansion of the
water and the expansion of the glass:
ΔVwater = ()(Vi)(Δt)
ΔVwater = (2.1 x 10-4/ºC)(1 L)(80ºC)
ΔVwater = 0.0168 L
ΔVglass = ()(Vi)(Δt)
ΔVglass = (0.09 x 10-4/ºC)(1 L)(80ºC)
ΔVglass = 0.00072 L
ΔVfinal = Δvwater - ΔVglass
ΔVfinal = 0.0168 L – 0.00072 L
ΔVfinal = 0.01608 L