Question

Explain Gravesend's ring -and -ball experiment to describe thermal expansion of solids.

Answer 1

STEP 1:

Gravesand's ring and ball experiment:

1. Take an iron ball and an iron ring such that the ball can just pass through the ring.
2. Take a metal stand with a hook and a burner. Suspend the ball by a chain from the hook. Heat the ball and try to pass through the ring. Now cool it and try again.

STEP 2:

Observation:

1. When the ball is heated it doesn't pass through the ring due to the thermal expansion of the ball.
2. But when it is cooled, it regains its original size and easily passes through it. This shows solids expand on heating.