An Experiment For

Determining the volumetric expansion

coefficient of liquids
• Objective of the experiment:

Measuring the volume expansion of water as a function of the temperature and determining the
volumetric expansion coefficient γ

• Theoretical Background:
The volumetric expansion coefficient of liquids is defined as the expansion that occurs in a unit
volume when its temperature is raised 1°C.
It can be found through this relation (1)
Where :
: the volumetric expansion coefficient of liquids and can be determined by means of a
dilatometer.
:the intial volume of the liquid
: change in temrature.
It depends on three basic factors:

1- The volume of the liquid: the larger the volume of the liquid, the greater the amount of its
expansion upon heating.

2- Temperature change: the greater the increase in the temperature of a liquid, the greater the
expansion.

3- The type of liquid: the amount of expansion varies according to the type of liquid, some of
which expand by a large percentage, and some of which expand less

• Description of Apparatus:

Figure (1) Figure (2)

Figure 1:
 (a) Dilatometer 1-Glassflask. 1a-ground opening. 2. Riser tube. 2a. Ground joint.
2b-mm-scale. 2c-Capillary.

Figure (2):

(b) Experimental setup for the determination of the volumetric expansion coefficient of liquids.

• Procedure:
o Find the mass of the empty density bottle with the cap m1.
o Fill the bottle with distilled water up to its nozzle so that the water comes out from the
nozzle tap, then make sure there are no air bubbles inside the vial and tap, then find out
The mass of a bottle filled with water m2.
o Put the bottle in a bot of water at a temperature of t1,
then heat the water to a temperature of t2,
o By cooling ,find this relation
(2)

:The change in volume of the water

r: radius of the capillary tube=1.55mm

h: height of the water in the capillary tube in mm

• Record of data :

T (C) h(mm) (mm3 )

40 ……. ……
50 ……. ……
60 ……. ……

• Calculations of results :

- Prepare a sheet of graph paper for plotting ΔV versus ΔT. Make ΔV the vertical axis and ΔT
the horizontal axis. Each axis should be labeled and appropriate units indicated

- Plot your data on the graph.

- Determine the slope and the y-intercept point.

 -Draw best fit line to the points on the graph.

- Determine the value of the volumetric expansion coefficient of the pure water by using the
slope and Equation:

Where :

: the volumetric expansion coefficient of the dilatometer and can be determined from
the relation :

: The volume of dilatometer and can be determined through the relation :

• Discussion of the results :

• Conclusion: