EXPERIMENT NO: 01

1.1.OBJECTIVE
To Find The Linear Co-efficient Of Aluminium.

1.2.APPRATUS
(i) Aluminium Bar

(ii) Dial Gauge

(iii) Thermo-couple

(iv) Digital Multi-meter

(v) Meter Rod

(vi) Steam Generator

Fig. (1.1)a Fig. (1.1)b

1.3.Theory
Thermal expansion is the tendency of matter to change
in shape, area and volume in response to a change in temperature.
The Coefficient Of Thermal Expansion describes how the size of an
object changes with a change in temperature. Specifically, it measures the
fractional change in size per degree change in temperature at a constant pressure.
Several types of coefficients have been developed: volumetric, area, and linear.
The choice of coefficient depends on the particular application and which
dimensions are considered important. For solids, one might only be concerned
with the change along a length, or over some area.
 Aluminium is a metal and a good conductor of heat. So, when heat
passes through it then the phenomena of expansion occurs and there is a slight
change in the distance between particles of the copper rod.So,we can calculate the
chhange in length the formula of thermal linear co-efficient.
∆𝑳 𝟏
𝜶= × ∆𝑻
𝑳

1.4.Procedure

(i) To find the length of the aluminium tube at room temperature,

measured from the inner edge of the stainless steel pin on one end,to the inner edge of the
angle bracket at the other end.Recorded results in Table.

(ii) Mounted the Aluminium tube in the expansion base as in Figure

.The stainless steel pin on the tube fits into the slot on the mounting block and the bracket
on the tube presses against the spring arm of the dial gauge.

(iii) Use tubing to attach steam generator to the end of the aluminium
tube.Attached it to the end farthest from the dial gauge.

(iv) Turned the outer casing of the dial gauge to align the zero point the
zeero point on the scale with the long indicator needle. As the tube extends,the indicator
needle will move in an anti-clockwise direction.

(v) Ensured that there is enough water in the steam generator before
switching it on .Once switched on,Didn’t remove the top.Turned on the steam
generator.As steam begins to flow ,watched the dial gauge and the multimeter .

(vi) When the thermistor temperature stabilises , recorded the temperature

in table.Also recorded the expansion of the tube length ( ΔL) as indicated by the
displacement of the indicator on the dial guage.

(vii)At the end did calculations and noted the values into the table.

1.5.Obsevations And Calculations

Noted the calculations and experimental values in the following table.
 Initial Final Change in Original Change in Change in Co-efficient
Temp Temp Temperature Length Length Length of Linear
Material Expansion
(𝑻𝟏 )K (𝑻𝟐 )K (∆𝑻)K (L)cm (∆L)mm (∆L)cm (𝜶)𝑲−𝟏

Aluminium

1.6.Sample Calculations

1.7.Results and Conclusion

Thus,after the experiment and calculations it is concluded that the value of
the linear co-efficient of the aluminium is 21.68× 𝟏𝟎−𝟔 𝑲−𝟏 .But as we
know the actual value of the co-efficient of linear expansion of aluminium
is 23× 𝟏𝟎−𝟔 𝑲−𝟏 .
1.8 Discussion
This difference between the actual value and the calculated value is due
to energy losses,the difference of temperature of the surroundings, the state of material,
the quality of the apparatus or some other technical errors. These errors are not permanent
or long lasting so these errors can be avoided by repeating the experiment or solving the
error in the devices or any other technical error.