Question

Explain why rails have gaps at specific distances.

Answer 1

It is a known fact that all solids tend to expand on heating. As rail lines are made up of steel, they tend to expand during summers and contract in winters. However, these expansion and contraction can cause sagging and bending of railway tracks which could derail the trains that run on them. Thus, the rails are provided with gaps at specific distances so as to prevent this bending of rails and avoid derailing of trains. These spaces get closer in summers and become wider in winters.