University of Santo Tomas

Faculty of Engineering
nd
2 Semester AY 2016-2017

Experiment No. 1A
Coefficient of Linear Expansion

Section: 2ChE-D
Group No.: 2 Date Performed: January 30, 2017
Leader: Legaspi, Leila Patricia S. Date Submitted: February 6, 2017
Members: Leonardo, Helena S.
Leuterio, Keith Harvey A.
Mancilla, Raven Pearl A.
Panuncialman, Joshua M.

Instructor: Prof. Gregonio Llanes

I. Objective

To determine the coefficient of linear expansion of several materials.

II. Discussion of Related Physics Concept

Bridges are built with metal expansion joints, so that it can expand and
contract without causing faults in the overall structure of the bridge. The reason
why the bridges are built with those metal joints is because most of the materials
are subject to thermal expansion.

Thermal expansion is when a material has a tendency to expand when

heated; and to contract when cooled. The expansion happens when a kinetic energy
is form due to the movement of the molecules that can be called “Thermal Energy”
or sometimes “Molecular Translational Energy”. Thermal energy is the internal
energy (heat) that flows from a system that has a relatively high temperature to a
relatively low temperature. The average molecular translational energy can be
measured through temperature. Thus, all these aspects of "heat"—heat itself (in the
scientific sense), as well as thermal energy, temperature, and thermal expansion—
are ultimately affected by the motion of molecules in relation to one another. The
coefficient of Linear Expansion can be computed using the following formula:

∆𝐿
∝=
𝐿0 (𝑇𝑓 − 𝑇0 )
III. Set-up

2
2

3
1 2
2

5
4
2
2

Figure 1. Set up of the experiment

Legend: 1. Cup 2. Rod
3. Linear Expansion Apparatus 4. Steam Generator
5. Rubber Tubing

IV. Data and Results

Initial temperature, T0 = 23. 8 ̊C

Final Temperature, Tf = 100 ̊C
Coefficient of Coefficient of
Initial Change in
Linear Linear Percent
Rod Length L0 Length ΔL
Expansion Expansion Error
(cm) (cm)
(Experiment) (Theoretical)
1st Rod:
40 cm 0.072 cm 2.362 x 10-5 2.4 x 10-5 1.58 %
Aluminum
2nd Rod:
40 cm 0.051 cm 1.67 x 10-5 1.9 x 10-5 12.11 %
Brass
 Computations:
Aluminum Brass
𝛥𝐿 𝛥𝐿
𝛼= 𝛼=
𝐿0 (𝑇𝑓 −𝑇0 ) 𝐿0 (𝑇𝑓 −𝑇0 )

0.072 𝑐𝑚 0.051 𝑐𝑚
𝛼= 𝛼=
(40 𝑐𝑚)(100−23.8) (40 𝑐𝑚)(100−23.8)

𝛼 = 2.362 x 10−5 𝛼 = 1.67 x 10−5

|𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑜𝑟𝑒𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙− 𝑒𝑥𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑙| |𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑜𝑟𝑒𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙− 𝑒𝑥𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑙|

% 𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 = 𝑥 100 % 𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 = 𝑥 100
𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑜𝑟𝑒𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑜𝑟𝑒𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙

|2.4 𝑥 10−5 − 2.362 𝑥 10−5 | |1.9 𝑥 10−5 − 1.67 𝑥 10−5 |

% 𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 = 𝑥 100 % 𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 = 𝑥 100
2.4 𝑥 10−5 1.9 𝑥 10−5

% 𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 = 1.58 % % 𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 = 12.11 %

V. Analysis of Results

Thermal expansion occurs when an object expands and becomes larger due
to the change of the object’s temperature. Different kinds of expansion may occur
such as linear, area, and volume expansion, when solids are heated. There will be
an increase in the internal energy of the object as heat energy is absorbed. The
increase in the internal energy allows the object’s molecules to vibrate, which
causes its kinetic energy to increase, resulting to the expansion of temperature. The
more heat energy is added, the greater the increase in the temperature that will make
the molecules to move faster and tend to move further apart but as it cools down,
the substance contracts.

In the first trial using an Aluminum rod, a change in length of 0.072 in

centimeters was recorded which resulted in to a coefficient of 2.362x105 On the
second trial using a Brass rod, the change in length recorded was 0.051cm in which
a coefficient of 1.67x105 was acquired. The trial conducted during the experiment
proves that the change in length and the increase of the coefficient of linear
expansion is proportionate.

The researchers came upon various sources of errors that took effect in the
calculation of the experimental value of the coefficient of linear expansion. The
 researchers conducted multiple trials and garnered high percentage errors mainly
due to instrumental errors. While performing the experiment, there was a problem
on the linear expansion apparatus’s reading scale and scale pointer which affected
the quantities to be calculated and recorded.

The researchers conducted the experiment on a well-working apparatus and

did multiple trials to achieve accurate results and low percentage errors.
When a solid is subjected to a rise in temperature (ΔT), its increase in length (ΔL)
is nearly proportional to its initial length (Lo). The proportionality constant (α) is
called the coefficient of linear expansion which is dependent on the nature of the
solid. Based on this established relationships, the researchers found out these
quantities are directly proportional to each other.

VI. Problems

1. A bimetallic strip is made by joining two materials with different coefficients of

thermal expansion. If the given figure below αA > αB, will strip curl upward
(concave upward) or downward (concave downward)? Explain your answer.

Figure:
Metal A
Metal B

The strip will curl downward (concave downward) because it is said that
the concavity of a bimetallic strip will shift to the side with the less coefficient of
linear expansion, in this case is metal B.

2. An aluminum rod at 18̊ C has a length of 2.50 meters. At what possible

temperatures will its length change by 1cm?

Increase in temperature:

∆𝐿 = 𝛼𝐿0 ∆𝑇
0.01𝑚 = (24 × 10−6 /℃)(2.50𝑚)(𝑇 − 18℃)
(0.01𝑚)
= 𝑇 − 18℃
(24 × 10−6 /℃)(2.50𝑚)
(0.01𝑚)
+ 18℃ = 𝑇
(24 × 10−6 /℃)(2.50𝑚)
𝑇 = 184.67℃
 Decrease in temperature:

∆𝐿 = 𝛼𝐿0 ∆𝑇
0.01𝑚 = (24 × 10−6 /℃)(2.50𝑚)(18℃ − 𝑇)
(0.01𝑚)
= 18℃ − 𝑇
(24 × 10−6 /℃)(2.50𝑚)
(0.01𝑚)
− + 18℃ = 𝑇
(24 × 10−6 /℃)(2.50𝑚)
𝑇 = −148.67℃

VII. Conclusion

The main objective of this experiment is to determine the coefficient of

linear expansion of several materials. 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. The researchers used aluminum and
brass as the metal with a similar initial length. As the water starts to boil, the steam
starts to enter the tubes to heat up the said metals. As the metals become hot, the
metal starts to expand as well. Based on the computations, as the change of the
length of the rod increases, the coefficient of linear expansion also increases.

VIII. Recommendation

In performing this experiment, the researchers encountered a few

complications. It is recommended that thorough inspection of the materials and
apparatus to be used is done. Make sure that the Linear Expansion Apparatus is
plugged in the socket with the appropriate voltage. Check if there is no hole on the
upper end of the rod and that both tubes are placed securely because it will lead to
leaking. Place the end of the tube in a cup to avoid spillage. Ensure that the scale
pointer works and is placed at zero. When the boiling starts, do not touch the set-
up with bare hands, use rags or gloves. If the scale pointer doesn’t move, it is
suggested that the Linear Expansion Apparatus be replaced. Be at eye-level with
the scale pointer when getting the results. For a more precise data, two or more
researchers should determine the change in length of the rod.
IX. References (APA Style)

1. Elert, G. Thermal Expansion Summary. Retrieved February 4, 2017 from:

http://physics.info/expansion/summary.shtml

2. Nave, R. Thermal Expansion. Retrieved February 4, 2017

from:http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/thermo/thexp.html

3. Wood, D. Thermal Expansion: Definition, Equation and Examples. Retrieved

February 4, 2017 from: http://study.com/academy/lesson/thermal-expansion-
definition-equation-examples.html

4. Thermal Expansion. (2006). Retrieved February 4, 2017, from

http://www.scienceclarified.com/everyday/Real-Life-Chemistry-Vol-4/Thermal-
Expansion.html

5. Nave, R. (n.d.). Thermal Expansion. Retrieved February 4, 2017, from

http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/thermo/thexp.html#c4

X. Appendix
Photo Documentation of Data and Results

Figure 2. ΔLrod = 0.072 cm Figure 3. ΔLaluminum = 0.051 cm