Solved Problems #2

1. Why do substances expand when heated?

Gases, liquids and solids usually expand when heated. The molecules of the
material move more violently when heated. The increased motion of the molecules
increases the distance between the molecules. This increased distance accounts for the
expansion.

2. Find the increase in length of a steel rail 50 ft. long when its temperature is increased
from 5 degree Celsius. The coefficient of expansion od steel is 0.000012

Solution:
Since the coefficient of expansion is the fractional increase in length per degree
rise in Temperature, the total linear expansion may be found by multiplying the length of the
body by the coefficient of expansion by the Temperature increase. Thus, the increase in
the length of the rail is: 50 (0.00012) (25) = 0.015 ft.

3. A ten – foot strip of aluminum is heated from 20 degree = 60 degree Celsius. If the
coefficient by expansion of aluminum is 0.000022, find the expanded length of the strip.

Solution:
The increase in temperature is 60 degree Celsius – 20 degree Celsius = 40 degree
Celsius. Therefore the amount of expansion is 10 (0.000022) (40) = 0.0088 ft.
The new length then is 10 ft. + 0.0088 ft.
Which is equal to = 10.0088 ft.

4. A 300 foot copper wire is chilled from 60 degree Celsius to 0 degree Celsius. What is its
length at 0 degree Celsius? The coefficient of expansion for copper is 0.000017.

Solution:
The reduction in length is 300 (0.000017) (60) = 0.36 ft.
The new length is 300 ft. – 0.306 = 299.694 ft.