PHYSICS INVESTIGATORY PROJECT

Coefficient of Linear Thermal Expansion

Dhanvini Basava
 OBJECTIVE

Hollow metal rods of known length are heated from room

temperature by passing steam through the rods. The
subsequent change in length is measured. These data allow
the determination of the coefficient of linear expansion (the
fractional change that occurs in the length per Celsius
degree.)
 THEORY

What is thermal expansion and why does it occur?

All materials, solid, liquid or gas experience a change in their dimension whenever there is a change in its
temperature. The change in dimension could be one dimensional called the linear expansion, it may be two
dimensional which is expansion of area, or three dimensional which is known as volume expansion.
The change in the body’s dimension is a function of the change in temperature. The amount of expansion also
depends on the material and the original size of the body. Thermal expansion is the tendency of matter to change in
shape, area, and volume in response to a change in temperature.
When a substance is heated, the kinetic energy of its molecules increases. Thus, the molecules begin
vibrating/moving more and usually maintain a greater average separation. This results in expansion. Unlike gases or
liquids, solid materials tend to keep their shape when undergoing thermal expansion.
Theory behind the experiment:
When the temperature of the rod is increased to its final temperature T1, the corresponding final length L is greater than the initial
length.

-> The change in length is the difference of the final length from its initial length: ∆ L = L
− L0
->If the change in temperature is less than 100°C, the change in length is directly
proportional to both the change in temperature and the initial length of the rod. This
gives rise to the equation:
∆L = ⍺ L0 ∆T, where ∆L represents change in length, L0 represents initial length, ∆T represents change in temperature and ⍺ is the
coefficient of linear expansion.
->The coefficient of the linear expansion is the ratio of the change in length to the original length for every degree change in
temperature. Its value depends on the material of which the solid is made.
->Note: The average coefficient of linear expansion has units of per C°
->The value of ⍺ can be calculated easily using this equation:

->Combining the above equations, we can calculate the final length using the equation: Lf = L0 + ⍺ L0 ∆T
 Materials Required

01. 02.
Thermal Expansion apparatus, Digital Thermometer
containing:
a. Metal Tubes (Copper and
Aluminium 03.
b. Dial Gauge Meter Stick
c. Inlet for steam
d. Outlet for steam 04.
e. Terminal for digital
Steam Generator
thermometer
 DATA TABLE CALCULATIONS
Trial/Tube Material Aluminium Copper -> Change in length of tube =
Initial Length of Tube, L0 Dial Gauge Reading * 0.01 mm

Initial Temperature, T0 -> Change in Temperature =

Final Temp. - Initial Temp.
Change in length of tube, ΔL
-> Coefficient of Linear Expansion =
Final Temperature of the Tube,
Tf

Change in temperature of the

-> Percentage Error =
Tube, ΔT

Experimental ⍺ (°C )

Actual ⍺ (°C ) -> Final Length of the tube =

Lf = L0 + ⍺ L0 ∆T
Percentage Error
 Procedure
1. Fill two-thirds of the steam generator with water and let it boil. Make sure that a rubber tubing is connected to the generator’s outlet.

2. Measure L, the initial length of the copper tube at room temperature using the Meter Stick. Measure from the inner edge of the
stainless steel pin on one end, to the inner edge of the angle bracket at the other end. Record your results in the Data Table.

3. Mount the copper tube in the expansion base of the apparatus.

4. Turn the outer casing of the dial gauge to align the zero point on the scale with the indicator needle.

5. Attach the digital thermometer to the terminal in the apparatus. Set the digital thermometer to the °C scale.

6. Read and record the initial temperature of the metal tube from the digital thermometer in the Data Table.

7. Use tubing to attach your steam generator to the inlet of the apparatus and allow the steam to enter the tube.

8. When the metal becomes hot, the pointer of the dial gauge rotates counterclockwise, which indicates the thermal expansion of the
tube. When thermal equilibrium is established, read and record the final temperature of the metal rod. Record the expansion of the
tube length (∆L) as indicated by the displacement of the indicator on the dial gauge.

9. Repeat steps 01-08 for the aluminium rod as well.

CAUTION: Steam can cause severe burns. Handle all hot apparatus with care.
 OBSERVATIONS
Trial/Tube Material Aluminium Copper

Initial Length of Tube, L0 700 mm 700 mm

Initial Temperature, T0 27°C 27°C

Change in length of tube, ΔL 0.98 mm 0.69 mm

Final Temperature of the Tube, Tf 83°C 83°C

Change in temperature of the Tube, ΔT 56°C 56°C

Experimental ⍺ (°C ) 25 X 10^-6 17.60 X 10^-6

Actual ⍺ (°C ) 23.80 X 10^-6 16.80 X 10^-6

Percentage Error 5.04 % 4.77 %

 OBSERVATIONS
-> Based from the results gathered, there is an obvious increase in the length of both materials as they were
introduced to increasing temperature. A direct proportionality relationship occurred between the temperature and
the length of the materials.

-> There was a significant difference between the change length in the aluminum and copper tubes.

-> Also, as the material cools down, it was observed that there is a decrease within the length of the material.

-> However, external issues affected the results of the experiment such as the air-conditioning within the
laboratory. This affected the rate of change of the temperature upon the conduct of both trials. Another thing that
was considered was the presence of water droplets from the vapour produced by the steam, with the presence of the
droplets within the tubes, transfer of heat was happening.

-> Nonetheless, it was clearly observed that there is linear expansion happening as the materials were exposed to
increasing temperature, thus, proving the theory.
Conclusion:
In the light of the conduct of thee experiment, the following conclusions can be made:

1. There is a direct proportionality between a body’s change in length and a body’s change in temperature.
The expansion of a material depends on the value of its coefficient of linear expansion; wherein higher
the coefficient of linear expansion is, the more it will expand. Temperature acts as the catalyst for the
change in dimension, known as linear expansion. As a certain material is subjected into increasing
temperature, it is expected that there will be a change in its length, proving the linear expansion.
However, as a material is subjected to a lower temperature, shrinking or an opposite result is expected.

2. Though linear expansion was proven to be true within the conduct of this experiment, it was also
revealed that linear expansion acts differently on various materials. Even when exposed to same
temperature, different materials react differently. It is very evident that an increase in a particular object’s
length is at a different phase compared to others. In the same manner, as it cools down, the change length
also differs from one material to another.
 APPLICATIONS
Applications of Thermal Expansion:

01. Railway Tracks 02. Thermometers 03. Power Lines

Railway Tracks are made of
steel and are laid with small
gaps because the tracks may
expand in cases of high
temperature and cause serious
damage.
In a typical mercury
thermometer, mercury rises and
falls as the temperature
fluctuates. This is because it
expands with the rise in
temperature.
Electrical power lines expand
due to heat, which is called
sagging, and it results in a
greater length of power line
extending from pole to pole
 APPLICATIONS
Applications of Coefficient of Linear Expansion:
Due to rapid growth of industrialisation and construction, it is very crucial to use the right material in any field.
Starting from constructing a building to constructing a satellite, material used acts as a backbone.

A diverse variety of materials are readily available around us. Each of them has different thermal properties.
Comparing the expanding ability with an increase in temperature for various materials is crucial to use them in
an appropriate situation. Generally, a material with a higher linear expansion coefficient is strong in nature and
can be used in building firm structures. This property can be modified to match the need by mixing the
materials. This led to the popularity of metal alloys as well. On the other hand, a material with higher linear
expansion coefficient will expand a lot in cases of very high temperature which also might cause a lot of
damage and hence, choice of material is very crucial at times.
Bibliography:
1. https://www.studocu.com/id/document/universitas-papua/physics-lab/experiment-5-linear-expansion/
7218572

2. https://stevegollmer.people.cedarville.edu/phys2130/graded/LinearExpansionLab.pdf

3. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-5E759UfTKY

4. http://www.scienceclarified.com/everyday/Real-Life-Physics-Vol-2/Thermal-Expansion-Real-life-
applications.html

5. https://byjus.com/physics/coefficient-of-linear-expansion/

6. https://www.khanacademy.org/

7. Google Photos

Thank you!