PHYS 112: THERMAL PHYSICS AND PROPERTIES OF MATTER

FACULTY OF PURE AND APPLIED SCIENCES

DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS
FOURAH BAY COLLEGE
UNIVERSITY OF SIERRA LEONE

LECTURE 2

THERMAL EXPANSION OF SOLIDS AND LIQUIDS

THERMAL EXPANSION OF SOLIDS, LIQUIDS AND GASES
The separation of atoms and molecules is more when the temperature increases. This is the
thermal expansion of that material. Thermal expansion is a very important topic for students
as many questions arise from it. We will learn about solids, liquids, gases, expansion of solids,
thermal expansion, and more.
Thermal expansion is defined as a phenomenon that is observed in solids, liquids, and gases.
In thermal expansion, an object or a body expands based on the application of heat
(temperature). Thermal expansion is the tendency of a body to change its dimensions which
are either in length, area, density, or volume due to heat When a substance is heated the
kinetic energy of the substance increases.

Solid

• The particles of a solid are always packed tightly.

• The gaps between the particles of a solid are very small and therefore the compression
of a solid is tough.

• The shape and volume of a solid is fixed.

• Solid is rigid in nature, hence the particles of solid only vibrate about their mean
position and cannot move.

• Attractive force between the particles of solid is adamant.

• Example: solid ice, wood, sugar, rock, etc.

Liquid

• The particles of liquid are less tightly packed when compared to solids.

• Liquids can take the shape of the container in which liquids are kept.

• The particles of liquid have less space between them to move so the compression
liquids are difficult but not as in solids.

• The Volume of Liquid is fixed but the shape of Liquid is not fixed.

• The rate of Diffusion in liquids is higher as compared to solids.

• Example: water, milk, coffee, blood, etc.

THERMAL EXPANSION TYPES

There are three types of thermal expansions which we will learn.

1. Linear Expansion

2. Volume Expansion

3. Area Expansion

Coefficient of Thermal Expansion

The coefficient of Thermal Expansion is defined as a relative expansion of a material which is

divided by the change in temperature.

LINEAR THERMAL EXPANSION

The linear expansion or contraction produced in a solid depends on the following factors;
❖ The original length of the solid. The longer the solid, the more expansion takes place.
The expansion produced for the same temperature rise is directly proportional to the
length of the solid.
❖ The temperature changes. The higher the temperature difference, the bigger the
expansion. Like the length, the expansion is proportional to the temperature rise.
❖ The type of solid. Different solids expand or contract by different amounts for the
same temperature change.

From the above, we define the property known as the coefficient of linear expansion (α) as:
‘’ the fractional increased in length per unit temperature rise’’.
𝐝𝐋
= αL0
𝐝𝐓

Where ΔL is the change in length L, ΔT is the change in temperature, and L0 is the initial length
of the substance.
ΔL = αL0 ΔT
𝚫𝐋
α = 𝚫𝐓𝐋

The unit of measurement is k-1

Using the equation above, it follows that the new length L1 of the material produced is given
by:
L1 = L0 + ΔL = L0 (1 + αΔT)
WORK EXAMPLE 1
A brass rule 500mm long at 21°c is found to expand by 0.55mm when heated to 130°c.
Calculate the coefficient of linear expansion of the brass rule.
SOLUTION
DATA
L0 = 500mm = 0.5m
T0 = 21°C = 294K
T1 = 130°C = 403K
ΔL = 0.55mm = 0.00055m
ΔT = 403 – 294 = 109K
𝚫𝐋
α = 𝚫𝐓𝐋
𝟎.𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟓𝟓
α = (𝟎.𝟓∗𝟏𝟎𝟗)

𝟎.𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟓𝟓
α= 𝟓𝟒.𝟓

α = 1.1 x10-5K-1
Unconstrained objects expand in all dimensions, as seen in Figure 1 below. That is, their areas
and volumes, as well as their lengths, increase with temperature. Because the proportions
stay the same, holes and container volumes also get larger with temperature. If you cut a hole
in a metal plate, the remaining material will expand exactly as it would if the piece you
removed were still in place. The piece would get bigger, so the hole must get bigger too.

Fig. 1 Solid expansion in all directions

For small temperature changes,
the change in area ΔA is given by:
ΔA = 2αAΔT
Where ΔA is the change in area A, ΔT is the temperature change, and α is the coefficient of
linear expansion, which varies slightly with temperature.
 dV
The relationship between volume and temperature dT is given by:
dV
= βV0
dT

ΔV = βV0ΔT
𝚫𝐕
β = 𝚫𝐓𝐕

Where β is the coefficient of volume expansion defined as:

‘’the fractional increase in volume per unit temperature rise’’.
The new volume V1 is given by:
V1 = V0 + ΔV = V0 (1 + βΔT)
Since the linear expansion of solids is very small, it follows that the volume increase as a result
of such expansion will also be small. It turns out that the coefficient of linear expansion is
approximately three times the coefficient of linear expansion. That is
β = 3α

Table 1.1 Coefficient of linear and volume expansion at nearly room temperature
WORK EXAMPLE 2
Suppose your 60.0L steel gasoline tank is full of gas that is cool because it has just been
pumped from an underground reservoir. Now, both the tank and the gasoline have a
temperature of 15.0 °C. How much gasoline has spilled by the time they warm to 35.0 °C?
[Take βgas = 950x10-6, βiron = 35x10-6 ]
 SOLUTION
DATA
V0 = 60.0L = 0.06m3
T1 = 15°C = 298
T2 = 35°C = 318
ΔT = 20
❖ Use the equation for volume expansion to calculate the increase in volume of the steel
tank:

ΔVs = βsVs ΔT
❖ The increase in volume of the gasoline is given by this equation:

ΔVgas = βgas Vgas ΔT

❖ Find the difference in volume to determine the amount spilled as

Vspill = ΔVgas − ΔVs

Alternatively, we can combine these three equations into a single equation.
Vspill = (βgas – βs)V0ΔT
Vspill = [(950 − 35) × 10−6 ] (60.0)(20.0)
Vspill = 1.10 L = 0.0011m3

BIMETALLIC STRIP AND THERMOSTAT

How can different coefficients of expansion for metals be used as a temperature gauge and
control electronic devices such as air conditioners?
Explanation: When the temperatures of a brass rod and a steel rod of equal length are raised
by the same amount from some common initial value, the brass rod expands more than the
steel rod because brass has a larger coefficient of expansion than steel. A simple device that
uses this principle is a bimetallic strip. Such strips can be found in the thermostats of certain
home heating systems. The strip is made by securely bonding two different metals together.
As the temperature of the strip increases, the two metals expand by different amounts and
the strip bends, as seen above. The change in shape can make or break an electrical
connection.

THERMAL STRESS
If you change the temperature of an object while preventing it from expanding or contracting,
the object is subjected to stress that is compressive if the object expands in the absence of
constraint and tensile if it contracts. This stress resulting from temperature changes is known
as thermal stress. It can be quite large and can cause damage.
To avoid this stress, engineers may design components so they can expand and contract freely.
For instance, on highways, gaps are deliberately left between blocks to prevent thermal stress
from developing. When no gaps can be left, engineers must consider thermal stress in their
designs. Thus, the reinforcing rods in concrete are made of steel because steel’s coefficient of
linear expansion is nearly equal to that of concrete.
To calculate the thermal stress in a rod whose ends are both fixed rigidly, we can think of the
stress as developing in two steps.
❖ First, let the ends be free to expand (or contract) and find the expansion (or
contraction).
❖ Second, find the stress necessary to compress (or extend) the rod to its original length
by the methods studied in Static Equilibrium and Elasticity as seen below.

From Static Equilibrium and Elasticity;

F
= YΔL[L0]-1
A

Where Y is Young’s modulus of the material.

In thermal expansion, ΔL = αL0ΔT.
Combining these two equations gives;
F
= YαL0ΔT[L0]-1
A
𝐅
= YαΔT
𝐀
WORK EXAMPLE 3
Concrete blocks are laid out next to each other on a highway without any space between
them, so they cannot expand. The construction crew did the work on a winter day when the
temperature was 5 °C. Find the stress in the blocks on a hot summer day when the
temperature is 38 °C. The compressive Young’s modulus of concrete is Y = 20 × 109 N/m2. [Take
α = 12x10-6/°C]

SOLUTION
DATA
Y = 20x109 N/m2
ΔT = 38 – 5 = 33°C
F
= YαΔT
A
F
= (20x109)(12x10-6)(33)
A
F
= (20x109)(12x10-6)(33)
A
F
= 7920x103
A
𝐅
= 7.92x106 N/m2
𝐀

EXPANSION OF LIQUIDS
Like solids, different liquids expand by different amounts for the same temperature rise. One
of the difficulties posed when measurements are to be made on the expansion of liquids is
due to the fact that liquids always need a containing vessel. When a liquid is heated, the
holding container expands. Thus measurement of the volume increase on heating must also
take into account the fact that the container has also expanded, meaning the liquid now
occupies a slightly larger volume than it did before heating. The following examples serve to
illustrate how the expansion of the containing vessel can be taken into account in problem-
solving.
WORK EXAMPLE 4
A glass flask whose volume is exactly 1000cm3 at 0°c is completely filled with mercury at this
temperature. When the flask and mercury are heated to 100°C, it is found that 15.4cm 3 of
mercury overflow. If the coefficient of volume expansion of mercury is 1.8x10 -4K-1, calculate
the coefficient of volume expansion of glass.
SOLUTION
DATA
V0 = 1000cm3
ΔT = 100°C
Vspill = 15.4cm3
βmercury = 1.8x10-4K-1
βglass = ?
Vspill = (βmercury – βglass)V0ΔT
15.4 = (1.8x10-4 - βglass)*(1000x100)
15.4 = (1.8x10-4 - βglass)*(100000)
0.000154 = (1.8x10-4 - βglass)
1.54x10-4 = 1.8x10-4 - βglass
βglass = 0.26x10-4K-1

DENSITY VARIATION IN HEATING

Since the volume of a liquid increases when heated, without a change in mass, it follows that
the density of the liquid will change on heating. How do explain this? From earlier studies, it
was seen that expansion is a result of the molecules moving farther apart on the application
of heat. It therefore follows that the density of a liquid will be less at a higher temperature
than at a lower temperature. This fact is what is responsible for convection currents created
in liquids when heated at the bottom.
To calculate the density at the new temperature, we need to know the original density of the
liquid. The following equation will help in solving problems dealing with density:
D1 = D0 [1 + βΔT]-1
Where D1 is the new density, D0 is the original density, ΔT is the change in temperature and β
is the coefficient of volume expansion.
THE UNUSUAL (ANOMALOUS) EXPANSION OF WATER

Properties of Water
Water occupy very commonplace in our lives and is considered to be a typical liquid. So much
so that the search for extraterrestrial life begins with a search for water. In reality, water is
one of the most unusual liquids you will ever encounter. We know that life on Earth depends
on the unique properties of water. As a gas, water is one of the lightest gases known; it is
much denser than its solid form as a liquid. These unusual properties of water have a
significant bearing on us. In this article, let us take an in-depth look at the anomalous
expansion of water.

ANOMALOUS EXPANSION OF WATER

A common observation seen in the behavior of the substances is that they expand when
heated as the density decreases and vice versa when the material is cooled. This is how
substances generally react to heat. Let us now look at how water behaves when heated.

The general tendency of cold water remains unchanged until 4 o C. The density of water
gradually increases as you cool it. When you reach 4oC, its density reaches a maximum. What
water does next will astound you. When you cool it further to make some ice, i.e. 0 oC, water
expands with a further drop in temperature, meaning the density of water decreases when
you cool it from 4oC to 0oC. The below graph explains this behaviour.

The effect of this expansion of water is that the coldest water is always present on the surface.
Since water at 4oC is the heaviest, this water settles on the bottom of the water body and the
lightest, i.e. the coldest layer, accumulates on the top layer. So in the winter, the top of the
water is always the first to freeze over. Since ice and water both are bad conductors of heat,
this top layer of ice insulates the rest of the water body from the cold of the winter, thereby
protecting all the life in the water body. Now you can truly comprehend how essential the
anomalous properties of water are for life.
Why does it happen?
As shown below, a water molecule is made of one oxygen atom combined with two hydrogen
atoms. At normal temperature, the water molecules are held together in a liquid state
because of the intermolecular attraction of the water molecules. In a liquid state, the water
molecules are constantly whizzing around in the container and are constantly being
rearranged.

Keep in mind that hydrogen contributes to intermolecular attraction. The attraction between
the hydrogen atoms of one water molecule and the oxygen atom of another water molecule
is also present. The distance between the H-O bond is more than the O-O attraction in the
water. In cooling water, the rate at which the molecules are whizzing around decreases as
they lose energy. The water molecules start squeezing together on further cooling, increasing
their density. At 4oC, the density reaches its maximum, and after this, the water molecules
can squeeze no further.

So, the water freezing over into ice is held together not by the O-O attraction but by the H-O
attraction. The lattice arrangement of ice prevents the movement of water molecules. But
since the H-O is not quite as tight as the O-O bond, it experiences a little expansion once the
H-O bond takes over. It is like people packed in a busy subway. More of them can fit into the
subway if they tuck their hands inside their pockets than if they all hold hands and stand. This
arrangement is stronger, and it also occupies more space. Water experiences this same effect.

THE STUDY OF GASES (EXPANSION IN GASES)

Gases operate under the influence of temperature, pressure, and volume. The simplest way
to study the variation of any two of these parameters with each other is to imagine the third
fixed. Studies of this kind have yielded three important laws: Boyle’s law, the Pressure law,
and Charles's law.
Boyle’s law
This law states that:
‘’ for a fixed mass of gas at a constant temperature, the volume is inversely proportional to
the pressure applied to it’’.
𝟏
Pα𝐕

Where P is the pressure and V is the volume of the gas.

The relationship can be expressed in an equation to read
constant
Pα V

PV = Constant
By Boyle’s law, if the pressure of a fixed mass of gas is changed from an initial value P1 to a
value P2 at a constant temperature, the volume will change from V1 to V2, such that
P1V1 = P2V2
Boyle’s law is represented graphically as seen below

WORK EXAMPLE 5
A balloon contains 30.0 L of helium gas at 103 kPa. What is the volume of the helium when
the balloon rises to an altitude where the pressure is only 25.0 kPa, assuming constant
temperature?
SOLUTION
DATA
V1 = 30L = 0.03m3
P1 = 103KPa
P2 = 25KPa
V2 =?
P1V1 = P2V2
(103)(30) = (25)(V2)
V2 = 123.6L = 0.1236m3
Pressure law
This law states that:
‘’ for a fixed mass of gas at constant volume, the pressure is directly proportional to the
absolute(Kelvin) temperature’’.
P α T (at constant volume)
Where P, is the pressure and T the temperature of the gas.
The relationship can be expressed in an equation to read
p
= constant
T

By Pressure law, if the pressure of a fixed mass of gas is changed from an initial value P 1 to a
value P2 at constant volume, the temperature will change from T1 to T2, such that
[P1][T1]-1 = [P2][T2]-1
Pressure law is represented graphically as seen below

WORK EXAMPLE 6
The gas in a used aerosol can is at a pressure of 103 kPa at 25°C. If the can is thrown onto a
fire, what will the pressure be when the temperature reaches 928°C?
SOLUTION
DATA
T1 = 25°C = 298K
P1 = 103KPa
T2 = 928°C = 1201K
P2 =?
[P1][T1]-1 = [P2][T2]-1
[103][298]-1 = [P2][1201]-1
298P2 = [103][1201]
298P2 = 123703
P2 = 415Kpa
Charles law
This law states that:
‘’ for a fixed mass of gas at constant pressure, the volume is directly proportional to the
absolute temperature’’.
VαT
Where V, is the volume and T, the temperature of the gas.
The relationship can be expressed in an equation to read
V
= constant
T

By Charles law, if the volume of a fixed mass of gas is changed from an initial value V 1 to a
value V2 at a constant pressure, the temperature will change from T1 to T2, such that
[V1][T1]-1 = [V2][T2]-1
WORK EXAMPLE 7
A balloon inflated in a room at 24°C has a volume of 4.00L. The balloon is then heated to a
temperature of 58°C. What is the new volume if the pressure remains constant?
SOLUTION
DATA
T1 = 24°C = 297K
V1 = 4.0L = 0.004m3
T2 = 58°C = 331K
V2 =?
[V1][T1]-1 = [V2][T2]-1
[4][297]-1 = [V2][331]-1
297V2 = [4][331]
297V2 = 1324
V2 = 4.46L = 0.0045m3
THE UNIVERSAL GAS LAW
The Universal gas law makes use of the combination of the three gas laws above. The
combined gas law allows you to do calculations for situations in which only the amount of gas
is constant.
[P1V1][T1]-1 = [P2V2][T2]-1
The equation above allows us to calculate the new pressure, volume, and temperature of a
gas sample when all three quantities are allowed to vary. The general form of the universal
(ideal) gas law is written as:
PV = nRT
Where n is the number of moles of the gas, and R is the universal gas constant whose value
is 8.3145J/mol/K. Gases that obey the universal gas law are said to be ideal.
WORK EXAMPLE 8
The volume of a gas filled balloon is 30.0 L at 313 K and 153 kPa. What would the volume be
at STP?
SOLUTION
NOTE: STP stands for Standard Temperature and Pressure. At STP the temperature is 0°C
(273K) and pressure is 1 atmosphere
T1 = 313K
V1 = 30.0L = 0.03m3
P1 = 153KPa
T2 = 273K (@STP)
P2 = 1atmosphere (@STP) = 1.013x105Pa
V2 =?
[P1V1][T1]-1 = [P2V2][T2]-1
[(153x103)*30][313]-1 = [(1.013x105)*V2][273]-1
[4590x103][313]-1 = [1.013x105V2][273]
[313][ 1.013x105V2] = [4590x103][273]
V2 = [1253x106][317x105]-1
V2 = [3.953x101]
V2 = 39.53L = 0.03953m3
WORK EXAMPLE 9
A 20.0 litre tank contains 0.280kg of helium at 27°C. The mass of helium is 4.00g/mol.
❖ How many moles of helium are there
❖ What is the pressure of the helium in Pascals and in atmosphere

SOLUTION

DATA
Temperature of gas = 300K
Mass of Helium (m) = 0.280kg
Volume of gas = 20 litres = 20/1000 = 0.02m3
Molecular mass of helium (M) = 4.0g/mol
R (Constant) = 8.314J/mol
n=?
P=?
Number of mass (m)
n= Molecular mass (M)

280
n= 4

n = 70 moles
From the universal gas law,
PV = nRT
[P][0.02] = [70][8.314][300]
P = 174594/0.02
P = 8.73x106Pa
Converting to atmosphere yield;
P = [8.73x106]/[1.013x105]
P = 86.18 atmospheres
KINETIC THEORY OF GASES
Matter, be it in the form of solid, liquid, or gas, is essentially made up of molecules, all identical
to each other, and different from those of different substances. The kinetic theory of matter
stipulates that the molecules in a piece of matter are in continuous motion. The kinetic theory
of gases is a special case of the general kinetic theory of matter. It attempts to account for the
behavior of the gas as a whole in terms of the motion of the molecules that the gas contains.

POSTULATES OF THE KINETIC THEORY OF GASES

A postulate is a scientific assumption on the behavior of some physical system. Sometimes
these ideas can be tested experimentally, while in other cases such testing is not possible.
Until they are proved false and modified, the assumption nonetheless remains a set of
reasonable presumptions on the behavior of the system under consideration.
The kinetic theory is based on several assumptions, the major ones being the following
❖ A gas is made up of a vast number of particles, and these particles are in constant
random motion.

❖ Particles in a gas are infinitely small, they occupy no volume.

Volumeless - Most of the volume occupied by a gas is empty space

• Accounts for lower density compared to solids and liquids. It also accounts for
the compressibility of gases.
❖ Particles in a gas move in straight lines except when they collide with other
molecules or with the walls of the container. All collisions are elastic, so that the
total kinetic energy of the particles is conserved.

❖ Particles in a gas interact with each other only when collisions occur.
• Assumes no force of attraction/repulsion between gas particles.
❖ The average kinetic energy of the particles in a gas is proportional to the absolute
temperature of the gas and does not depend on the identity of the gas.
• The average Kinetic Energy of gas particles depends on Temperature of the
gas: T

This equation is a modification of the ideal gas equation. This equation is represented by:
Where a and b are constants.
b is called the co-volume, and takes into account the volume occupied by the molecules of
gas.
a/V2 represents the pressure reductions caused by intermolecular forces.

WORK EXAMPLE 10
One mole of van der Waal’s gas has pressure 8.2x106 Pa and volume 4.0x10-3 m3 at a certain
temperature. If the constant used in pressure correction is 0.16Nm4/mol and that used in
volume correction is 4.0x10-5 m3/mol, calculate the temperature of the gas. Recalculate this
final temperature if the gas were ideal.
SOLUTION
DATA
P = 8.2x106 Pa
V = 4.0x10-3 m3
a = 0.16Nm4/mol
b = 4.0x10-5 m3/mol
R = 8.314J/mol
T=?
n=1

[8.2x106 + 0.16/(4.0x10-3)2][4.0x10-3 – 4.0x10-5] = [8.314T]

[8.2x106 + 0.16/16.0x10-6][0.00396] = [8.314T]

[(32.8 + 0.16)/16.0x10-6][0.00396] = [8.314T]

[32.96/16.0x10-6][0.00396] = [8.314T]

[8.21x106][0.00396] = [8.314T]
0.03263x106 = 8.314T

T = 3910K

If the gas were ideal:

PV = nRT

[(8.2x106)(4.0x10-3)] = 8.314T

[(8.2x106)(4.0x10-3)] = 8.314T

32.8x103 = 8.314T

T = 3945K

LINEAR EXPANSION – PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS

1. A steel is 40 cm long at 20 oC. The coefficient of linear expansion for steel is 12 x 10-6 (Co)-1
The increase in length and the final length when it is at 70 oC will be…

Known :

The change in temperature (ΔT) = 70oC – 20oC = 50oC

The original length (L1) = 40 cm

Coefficient of linear expansion for steel (α)= 12 x 10-6 (Co)-1

Wanted : The change in length (ΔL) and the final length (L2)

Solution :

a) The change in length (ΔL)

ΔL = α L1ΔT

ΔL = (12×10-6 oC-1)(40 cm)(50oC)

ΔL = (10-6)(24 x 103) cm

ΔL = 24 x 10-3 cm
ΔL = 24 / 103 cm

ΔL = 24 / 1000 cm

ΔL = 0.024 cm

b) The final length (L2)

L2 = L1 + ΔL

L2 = 40 cm + 0.024 cm

L2 = 40.024 cm

2. An iron rod heated from 30 oC to 80 oC. The final length of iron is 115 cm and the
coefficient of linear expansion is 3×10-3 oC-1. What is the original length and the change in
length of the iron?

Solution :

The change in temperature (ΔT) = 80 oC – 30 oC = 50 oC

The final length (L2) = 115 cm

The coefficient of linear expansion (α )= 3×10-3 oC-1

Wanted : the original length (L1) and the change in length (ΔL)

Solution :

a) The original length (L1)

Formula of the change in length for the linear expansion :

ΔL = α L1 ΔT

Formula of the final length :

L2 = L1 + ΔL
L2 = L1 + α L1 ΔT

L2 = L1 (1 + α ΔT)

115 cm = L1 (1 + (3.10-3 oC-1)(50oC)

115 cm = L1 (1 + 150.10-3)

115 cm = L1 (1 + 0.15)

115 cm = L1 (1.15)

L1 = 115 cm / 1.15

L1 = 100 cm

b) the change in length (ΔL)

ΔL = L2 – L1

ΔL = 115 cm – 100 cm

ΔL = 15 cm

3. At 25 oC, the length of the glass is 50 cm. After heating, the final length of the glass is 50.9
cm. The coefficient of linear expansion is α = 9 x 10-6 C-1. Determine the final temperature of
the glass…

Known :

The original length (L1) = 50 cm

The final length (L2) = 50.09 cm

The change in length (ΔL) = 50.2 cm – 50 cm = 0.09 cm

The coefficient of linear expansion (α) = 9 x 10-6 oC-1

The original temperature (T1) = 25oC

Wanted: The final temperature (T2)

Solution :

ΔL = α L1 ΔT

ΔL = α L1 (T2 – T1)

0.09cm = (9 x 10-6 oC)(50cm)(T2 – 25 oC)

0.09 = (45 x 10-5)(T2 – 25)

0.09 / (45x 10-5) = T2 – 25

0.002x 105 = T2 – 25

2x 102 = T2 – 25

200 =T2 – 25

T2 = 200 + 25

T2 = 225oC

The final temperature is 225 oC.

4. The original length of metal is 1 meter and the final length is 1.02 m. The change in
temperature is 50 Kelvin. Determine the coefficient of linear expansion!

Known :

The initial length (L1) = 1 meter

The final length (L2) = 1.02 meter

The change in length (ΔL) = L2 – L1 = 1.02 meter – 1 meter = 0.02 meter

The change in temperature (ΔT) = 50 Kelvin = 50oC

Wanted: The coefficient of linear expansion

Solution :

ΔL = α L1 ΔT

0.02 m = α (1m)(50oC)

0.02 = α (50oC)

α = 0.02 / 50oC

α = 0.0004 oC-1

α = 4 x 10-4 oC-1

Volume expansion – problems

and solutions
Linear expansion is experienced only by solid objects; volume expansion is
experienced by all objects, both solid, liquid, and gas. The equation of volume
expansion is similar to the equation of linear expansion.

ΔV = β V o Δ

β = ΔV /Vo Δ

V = Vo

Description: Vo = Initial volume, V = Final volume, ΔV = V – Vo = The change in

volume, To = Initial temperature, T = Final temperature, ΔT = T – To = The change

in temperature, β = the coefficient of volume expansion. Unit of β = (Co) -1

The above volume expansion equation applies only when the changes in the volume
of the objects (both solid, liquid, and gas) are smaller than the original volume of the
object. If the change in volume of an object is greater than the initial volume of the
object, the equation of the volume expansion does not give the right results. Usually,
the changes in volume experienced by solid objects are not too large. Conversely,
the coefficient of volume expansion of the liquid and gas is large. The coefficient of
volume expansion for gaseous substances is also easy to change if the temperature
changes. Therefore the formula above is used only for the expansion of solid objects.

1. At 30 oC the volume of an aluminum sphere is 30 cm3. The coefficient of linear

expansion is 24 x 10-6 oC-1. If the final volume is 30.5 cm3, what is the final
temperature of the aluminum sphere?

Known :

The coefficient of linear expansion () = 24 x 10-6 oC-1

The coefficient of volume expansion (β) = 3  =3 x 24 x 10-6 oC-1 = 72 x 10-6 oC-1

The initial temperature (T1) = 30oC

The initial volume (V1) = 30 cm3

The final volume (V2) = 30.5 cm3

The change in volume (ΔV) = 30.5 cm3 – 30 cm3 = 0.5 cm3

Wanted: The final temperature (T2)

Solution :

ΔV = β (V1)( Δ)

ΔV = β (V1)(T2 – T1)

0.5 cm3 = (72 x 10-6 oC-1)(30 cm3)(T2 – 30oC)

0.5 = (2160 x 10-6)(T2 – 30)

0.5 = (2.160 x 10-3)(T2 – 30)

0.5 = (2.160 x 10-3)(T2 – 30)

0.5 / (2.160 x 10-3) = T2 – 30

0.23 x 103 = T2 – 30

0.23 x 1000 = T2 – 30

230 = T2 – 30

230 + 30 = T2

T2 = 260oC

2. The coefficient of linear expansion of a metal sphere is 9 x 10-6 oC-1. The internal
diameter of the metal sphere at 20 oC is 2.2 cm. If the final diameter is 2.8 cm,
what is the final temperature?

Known :

The coefficient of linear expansion (α) = 9 x 10-6 oC-1

The coefficient of volume expansion (β) = 3  =3 x 9 x 10-6 oC-1 = 27 x 10-6 oC-1

The initial temperature (T1) = 20oC

The initial diameter (D1) = 2.2 cm

The final diameter (D2) = 2.8 cm

The initial radius (r1) = D1 / 2 = 2.2 cm3 / 2 = 1.1 cm3

The final radius (r2) = D2 / 2 = 2.8 cm3 / 2 = 1.4 cm3

The initial volume (V1) = 4/3 π r13 = (4/3)(3.14)(1.1 cm)3 = (4/3)(3.14)(1.331 cm3)
= 5.57 cm3

The final volume (V2) = 4/3 π r23 = (4/3)(3.14)(1.4 cm)3 = (4/3)(3.14)(2.744 cm3) =
11.48 cm3
The change in volume (ΔV) = 11.48 cm3 – 5.57 cm3 = 5.91 cm3

Wanted : The final temperature (T2)

Solution :

V = β (V1)()

5.91 cm3 = (27 x 10-6 oC-1)(5.57 cm3)(T2 – 20oC)

5.91 = (150.39 x 10-6)(T2 – 20)

5.91 / 150.39 x 10-6 = T2 – 20

0.039 x 106 = T2 – 20

39 x 103 = T2 – 20

39,000 = T2 – 20

39,000 + 20 = T2

T2 = 39,020 oC

3. A 2000-cm3 aluminum container, filled with water at 0oC. And then heated to
90oC. If the coefficient of linear expansion for aluminum is 24 x 10 -6 (oC)-1 and the
coefficient of volume expansion for water is 6.3 x 10-4 (oC)-1, determine the
volume of spilled water.

Known :

The initial volume of the aluminum container and water (Vo) = 2000 cm3 = 2 x
103 cm3

The initial temperature of the aluminum container and water (T1) = 0oC

The final temperature of the aluminum container and water (T2) = 90oC
The coefficient of linear expansion for aluminum (α) = 24 x 10-6 (oC)-1

The coefficient of volume expansion for aluminum (γ) = 3α = 3 (24 x 10-6 (oC)-1 ) =
72 x 10-6 oC-1

The coefficient of volume expansion for water (γ) = 6.3 x 10-4 (oC)-1

Wanted : The volume of spilled water

Solution :

The equation of the volume expansion :

V = Vo + γ Vo ΔT

V – Vo = γ Vo ΔT

ΔV = γ Vo ΔT

V = final volume, Vo = initial volume, ΔV = the change in volume, γ = the

coefficient of volume expansion, ΔT = the change in temperature

Calculate the change in volume of the aluminum container :

ΔV = γ Vo ΔT = (72 x 10-6)(2 x 103)(90) = 12960 x 10-3 = 12.960 cm3

Calculate the change in volume of the water :

ΔV = γ Vo ΔT = (6.3 x 10-4)(2 x 103)(90) = 1134 x 10-1 = 113.4 cm3

The change in volume of the water is greater than the aluminum container so that
some water spilled.

Calculate the volume of spilled water :

113.4 cm3 – 12.960 cm3 = 100.44 cm3

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