John Angelo J.

Alcantara PHYS102-2L_A54
2020102408 6/18/2021

EXPERIMENT 202: LINEAR EXPANSION

ANALYSIS

The researcher conducted an experiment that focus on Linear Expansion. The changes in

certain temperature is what makes a Linear Expansion in all forms of objects being used. It

measures the perceived contraction or expansion of the objects. By doing the experiment, the

researchers will get a better understanding of how the reaction occurs and determine the possible

thermal stress that occurs in the materials used. The main focus of the experiment is to determine

the change of temperature, how the experimental coefficient is determined, identifying the

unknown elements, and percent error for the known metal.

The Data needed for the experiment is given as the researchers determine the missing data

to formulate a deeper understanding to the topic. As for finding the Change in Temperature, it is

given that the temperature from its initial temperature is recorded has spiked for more than 60 oC

due to the tubes being heated prior to determining the final temperature for the tube. The increase

in temperature led to the tube expanding and gaining a length higher than 0.5mmof its original

size. The temperature as it is given creates a reaction for the tube of where the tube expands as

heat is absorb by the pipe. We then determined the experimental coefficient of the linear expansion

observed during the experiment wherein the outcome is given that the higher resistance present in

the tube equals to higher coefficient of linear expansion.

Final Temp - Initial Temp. = Change in Temp.

Aluminum Unknown 1 Unknown 2

89.1 - 25 = 64.1 88.1 - 25 = 63.1 87.1 - 25 = 62.1

Change in Length .
Initial Length (Change in Temp.) = Experimental Coefficient

Aluminum Unknown 1 Unknown 2

1.00 . 0.88 . 1.24 .
750(64.1) = 2.080083203 x 10-5 750(63.1) = 1.859482303 x 10-5 750(62.1) = 2.6623772517 x 10-5

We then subjected the two unknown answers into determining what type of sample was

given that in turn led to our initial assumption of silver being the 1st unknown sample and tin as

the 2nd unknown sample given. We then got the percentage error for the known metal after

identifying the actual coefficient along with its experimental coefficient. The outcome of the

experiment showcased how Linear expansion is a pre-determined reaction based on the material

used that is subjected to constant stress.

Experimental Coefficient – Actual Coefficient

Actual Coefficient X 100 =Percent Error

Aluminum
2.08 x 10-5 - 23.80 x 10-6
23.80 x 10-6 X 100 = 12.60504202
 CONCLUSION

Thermal expansion is the capacity of matter to grow in volume or pressure when heated

and as a byproduct of the experiment, the researchers have discovered that materials that vary in

material composition as well as temperature will come into change in size or length. The

coefficient of linear expansion of a material also influences its expansion due to higher the

coefficient of linear expansion results the object used to expand. Several factors influence the

length change of a material during thermal expansion and these are the coefficient of linear

expansion. Factors and changes present are directly related to the change in material length. if

factors as such are subjected to increase, the outcome would show signs of expansion and increase

in length or width of a certain object. The experiment was easily done by the researchers due to

composition, how heat differs from certain materials, to how heat can affect an object is a

knowledge that is taught prior to this. Basic knowledge from years of studying gave a brief and

simple understanding of how expansion due to heat or in this case, the linear expansion, is pre-

determined by the composition of the object (mainly metal substance). The researchers could’ve

expanded on how linear expansion creates or affects a material in a broader sense. The main idea

discussed by the researcher is mainly based on the general idea and understanding from where the

experiment is conducted.
REFERENCES

Linear expansion. (n.d.). ScienceDirect.com | Science, health and medical journals, full text
articles and books. https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/engineering/linear-expansion
223 physics lab: Linear thermal expansion. (n.d.). College of Science | College of Science,
Clemson University, South
Carolina. https://science.clemson.edu/physics/labs/labs/223/expansion/inde