Experiment 14 Coefficient of Linear Expansion

Objective:
To measure the coefficient of linear expansion of some metals.

Equipment and Materials Needed:

Coeffiecient of Linear Expansion Apparatus
Electric Stove
Meterstick
Thermometer
Steam Generator
Beaker
Rubber Tube

Background:
Most materials expand somewhat when heated through a temperature range that does not produce
a change in phase. The added heat increases the average amplitude of vibration of the atoms in the
material which increases the average separation between the atoms. Suppose an object of length L
undergoes a temperature change of magnitude Δt. If Δt is reasonably small, the change in length, ΔL, is
generally proportional to L and Δt. Stated mathematically:
ΔL = αL Δt;
where α is called the coefficient of linear expansion for the material. For materials that are not isotropic,
such as an asymmetric crystal for example, α can have a different value depending on the axis along which
the expansion is measured. α can also vary somewhat with temperature so that the degree of expansion
depends not only on the magnitude of the temperature change, but on the absolute temperature as
well. In this experiment, you will measure α for copper, aluminum and brass. These metals are isotropic
so that α need only be measured along one dimension. Also, within the limits of this experiment, α does
not vary with temperature.

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 Procedure:
1. Set up the materials as shown.

Thermometer
Boiler
a

2. Measure the initial length and initial temperature of the metal rod at room temperature and
record these as Lo and to respectively.
3. Set the pointer to zero or record its initial reading (IR).
4. Start generating steam by turning on the electric stove. Make sure the set up was properly
connected.
5. As the steam enters the jacket of the apparatus, observe the pointer carefully if there is a
significant change in its reading. If there is, record the final reading of the pointer (FR) and
the temperature reading in the thermometer, tf.
6. Turn off the electric stove and let the apparatus cool down.
7. Record your data and compute actual change in length of the metal using the equation,

 a
ΔL=(FR-IR)  
b 

where: a = length of the short arm

b = length of the long arm
8. Compute the experimental value of coefficient of linear expansion of the metal using the
equation

∆L
α=
Lo∆t

9. Compare the experimental value of the coefficient of linear expansion of the metal with its
true value by computing the percentage error.
10. Record your data.
11. Make three trials.

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 LABORATORY REPORT

Experiment 14
Coefficient of Linear Expansion

Name __________________________________CYS_________________ Grade__________

Instructor ____________________________________ Date Submitted________________

ABSTRACT

MATERIALS USED
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 ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION

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 DATA AND RESULTS

Lo to tf Δt ΔL α
Trial
(mm) (oC) (0C) (0C) (mm) (/0C)

Ave. Experimental Value of Coefficient of Linear Expansion = _______ /0C

True Value of Coefficient of Linear Expansion = _______ /0C
Percentage Error = _______ %

COMPUTATIONS

QUESTIONS AND APPLICATIONS

1. From your result, can you calculate the coefficients of volume expansion of the
metal?
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 2. Concrete has a coefficient of linear expansion of 12x10-6 /ºC and considering a large
concrete structure and typical temperatures during summer and cold seasons.
a. Will there be a change in concrete’s linear size between summer and cold
seasons? Explain your answer.

b. If there is a change in its linear size, how would this change be accommodated?

CONCLUSION

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 FACTORS AFFECTING RESULTS

REFERENCES
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