Experiment 105

Linear Expansion

Group No. _3_

Subject/Section _PHYS101L - B5_
Date of Performance _March 14, 2023_
Date of Submission _March 21, 2023_

Instructor

Linear Expansion
 Group 3
PHYS101L - B5
Abstract

This study explores the connection between a body's temperature change, length change, and the
type of material utilized. Data was gathered on the tubes' change in length, resistance, and temperature over
the course of two experiments utilizing an aluminum tube and a copper tube, respectively. The findings
demonstrated that a body's size changes with temperature and material type, with the degree of expansion
depending on the material's molecular structure. The experiment supports the linear expansion hypothesis
and sheds light on the variables influencing the precision of the data gathered.

1. Introduction
then the thermistor lug was inserted
We tested the relationship between a into the hole in the middle of the
body's change in length and its change in aluminum tube. Afterward, the foam
temperature as well as the relationship between insulator was positioned on top of
the length and the type of material utilized in the thermistor lug. Next, the
this experiment by conducting an experiment on resistance of the thermistor at room
the linear expansion utilizing two trials, an temperature ( Ro ) was measured by
aluminum tube and a copper tube. plugging the leads of the ohmmeter
with the banana plug connectors of
The materials were prepared, the the thermistor. Using Ro , the
thermistor lug was connected to the thread temperature equivalent
hole, the leads of the ohmmeter were temperature (T o ) was calculated.
connected to the thermistor's banana plug Next, the dial gauge was set to zero,
connector to obtain the significant resistance, then connect the steam generator
the dial gauge was set to zero, the rubber tube and the dial gauge together using
from the steam generator was connected to the the rubber tubing. After that, the
end of the tube, and the vapor generator was base was lifted on one side to drain
powered up. After waiting for another tube to the condensed water inside the
start producing gas, we observed the dial gauge tube. Afterward, the increase in
rotating counterclockwise and recorded the length (L) and the thermistor
initial, final, and heating rate. resistance (R) were recorded. The
temperature (T ) equivalent to R
2. Materials and Methodology was recorded at the same time.
Once that was done, the change in
In the experiment, the materials utilized temperature ( ΔT ) was computed by
by the group were given: a piece of aluminum using the formula: Δ T =T −T o .
metal tube, a copper metal tube, a digital multi- Then, the experimental data was
tester, a set of an expansion base with a built-in computed by following the formula:
gauge and thermistor, a piece of foam insulator, ΔL
α= . Afterward, the percent
a piece of rubber tubing, a meterstick, and a Lo ΔT
steam generator. error was calculated by using the
formula:
● First, the initial length of the α actual −α experimental
aluminum tube ( Lo ) using the %error = ×100 %.
α actual
meterstick. Afterward, the tube was
placed on the expansion base, and
 The actual coefficient of linear
expansion was given in this table:
Figure 1: Coefficient of Linear Expansion of
Solids
Once done, the experiment would be
repeated using the copper tube instead.
3. Results and Discussion
Due to the complexity of the data collected
from various equipment, it's important that
multiple trials are conducted to ensure that
the results are reliable. One of the most
common factors that can affect the
accuracy of the data is the change in the
variable's temperature. The variables that
are independent are the initial
temperature, length of the tubes, the
resistance of the thermistor, and the linear
coefficient of copper and aluminum. On the
other hand, the variables that are
dependent on one another are the
temperature of the steam generator, the
resistance of the thermistor, and the
change in the tube's temperature.
The corresponding value of the
linear expansion is computed depending on
the type of solid being used. This is the
basis for calculating the error. From
observation, the experimental value of the
linear expansion should be less than the
actual value to produce a low error. In
addition, it's also important to note that the
change in the length of the tubes should not
be too great to produce a low percentage
error. However, these values can be
affected by approximation and
manipulation.
Also, the theory states that matter
expands when its temperature changes, as
well as its surrounding temperature. In the
experiment, two rods are connected to a
steam generator, when the temperature of
the tube gets extremely hot, it causes the
length of the rod to extend. This proved the
theory correct in the experiment.
4. Conclusion
The objectives of an experiment were
achieved by using the theory of linear
expansion. The coefficient of linear expansion
was determined by calculating the ratio of the
change in length to the original length for every
degree change in temperature. The experiment
showed that the change in a body's dimension is
a function of the change in temperature,
verifying the dependence of a body's change in
length on its change in temperature. The brass
tube, being a solid material, experienced a small
increase in size due to its fixed shape compared
to liquid and gas, which expand more. The
amount of expansion depends on the molecular
structure of the material, verifying the
dependence of a body's change in length on the
kind of material.
 EXPERIMENT NO. 105 : LINEAR EXPANSION

Trial / Type of Tube Trial 1. Aluminum Tube Trial 2. Brass Tube

L
Initial Length of Tube, o 700 mm 700 mm

Initial Resistance of Thermistor at Room Temperature, Ro 96,400 Ω 90,000 Ω

Initial Temperature, To 260C 270C

Change in Length of Tube, ΔL 1.2 mm 0.85 mm

Resistance of Thermistor at Final Temperature, R 9,500 Ω 9,200 Ω

Final Temperature of the Tube, T 840C 850C

Change in temperature of the Tube, T - To 580C 580C

Experimental Coefficient of Linear Expansion,

α experimental 2.955665*10⁻⁵/0C 2.093*10⁻⁵/0C

Actual Coefficient of Linear Expansion,

α actual 23.80 x 10 - 6/0C 16.80 x 10 – 6/0C

Percentage Error 24.19% 24.583%