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Coefficient of Linear Expansion

What is the Coefficient of Linear Expansion?

Expansion means, change or increase in length. If the change in length is along one dimension (length) over the volume, then it is called linear expansion. Here the reason behind the expansion is the change in temperature Thus, it is implied that the change in temperature will reflect in the rate of expansion. How much material can withstand its original shape and size under the influence of heat radiation is well explained using this concept.

Assuming that the effect of pressure is negligible,

Coefficient of Linear Expansion is the rate of change of unit length per unit degree change in temperature

The coefficient of linear expansion can be mathematically written as:

 $$\begin{array}{l}\alpha _{L}=\frac{dL}{dT}\end{array}$$

Where,

• $$\begin{array}{l}\alpha _{L}\end{array}$$
is the coefficient of linear expansion.
• $$\begin{array}{l}dL\end{array}$$
is the unit change in length
• $$\begin{array}{l}dT\end{array}$$
is the unit change in temperature.

S.I. Unit

The S.I unit is:

$$\begin{array}{l}^{\circ}C^{-1} or K^{-1}\end{array}$$

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How does it work?

The linear expansion coefficient is an intrinsic property of every material. Hence it varies from one material to another. The rate at which a material expands purely depends on the cohesive force between the atoms. Cohesive force is the force that binds two or more atoms.

In other words, the cohesive force resists the separation between the atoms. However, the greater the cohesive force, the expansion will be low for a given increase in temperature. The soft metals like, Lead has a low melting point and can be compressed easily. On heating, the lead will expand faster with a unit rise in temperature.

Applications of Coefficient of Linear Expansion

The outcome of advancement in science and technology are immense. To march with this rapid growth in industrialisation and constructions, one needs to be sure about the usage of the material palette. Starting from constructing a building till constructing a satellite, The material used act as a backbone.

The 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 material is crucial to use them in an appropriate situation. Generally, the 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. Thus nowadays metal alloys are getting popular.

Coefficient of Linear Expansion for various materials

This session mainly summarizes the coefficient of linear expansion for various materials. Some material shows huge variation in

$$\begin{array}{l}\alpha _{L}\end{array}$$
when it is studied against variation in temperature and pressure.

For hard solids

$$\begin{array}{l}\alpha _{L}\end{array}$$
ranges approximately around
$$\begin{array}{l}10^{^{-7}} K^{-1}\end{array}$$
and for organic liquids
$$\begin{array}{l} \alpha _{L}\end{array}$$
ranges around
$$\begin{array}{l}10^{^{-3}} K^{-1}\end{array}$$
. Highest
$$\begin{array}{l}\alpha _{L} \end{array}$$
is observed for Ti-Nb alloy.

Below is the table of materials along with their

$$\begin{array}{l}\alpha _{L}\end{array}$$
values.

 Metals Coefficient of linear expansion $$\begin{array}{l}\alpha _{L}\end{array}$$ at $$\begin{array}{l}20^{\circ}C\end{array}$$ ($$\begin{array}{l}10^{^{-6}} K^{-1}\end{array}$$) Aluminium 23.1 Benzocyclobutene 42 Brass 19 Carbon steel 10.8 Concrete 12 Copper 17 Diamond 1 Ethanol 250 Gallium(III) Arsenide 5.8 Gasoline 317 Gold 14 Ice 51 Iron 11.8 Lead 29 Magnesium 26 Mercury 61 Nickel 13 Platinum 9 Water 69 Silicon 2.56 Silver 18

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Frequently Asked Questions – FAQs

What is the coefficient of linear expansion?

Coefficient of Linear Expansion is the rate of change of unit length per unit degree change in temperature.

What is heat capacity?

The heat capacity of a material can be defined as the amount of heat required to change the temperature of the material by one degree. The amount of heat is generally expressed in joules or calories and the temperature in Celsius or Kelvin.

Define thermal stress.

The stress experienced by a body due to either thermal expansion or contraction is called thermal stress. It can be potentially destructive in nature as it can make the material explode.

Define thermal conductivity.

It is the property of a material to conduct heat through itself. Materials with high thermal conductivity will conduct more heat than the ones with low conductivity.

What are the factors that affect the internal energy of a system?

The internal energy of a system may change when:
• Heat passes into or out of the system,
• Work is done on or by the system or matter enters or leaves the system.

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2 Comments

1. Shadow Dane

@8th grade student
Need any 3 applications of thermal expansion of liquids.

1. sushmitha

The three applications of thermal expansion of liquids are:
The rise in the level of mercury and alcohol in thermometers is due to the thermal expansion of liquids. These liquids expand ar different rates when compared to the tube, therefore, as the temperature increases, there is a rise in their level and when the temperature drops, the level of these liquids drop.

The second application is in the automobile engine coolant. The coolant that is used in the automobile is used to avoid the overheating of the engine.

The natural cooling of water in nature is the third application of the thermal expansion of the liquid. The existence of freshwater plants and animals is based on the thermal expansion of water.