Explain with the help of formulae the expansion coefficients of liquid and gas.
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Solution
The formulae for the expansion coefficients of liquid and gas is discussed below:
V2 = V1 (1+β∆T)
or β = (V2-V1/V1) 1/∆T
From the above formula, we can say that –
A liquid does not have a definite shape but it has a definite volume. The volumetric expansion coefficient for a liquid (β) is defined as the fractional change in the volume of the liquid per °Celsius (or kelvin) change in temperature.
A gas does not even have a fixed volume. The expansion of a gas is measured by keeping its pressure constant. This volumetric expansion coefficient is called the constant pressure expansion. Here, ∆T is the change in temperature and V1 and V2 are the initial and final volumes of the gas at constant pressure. β is the constant pressure expansion coefficient of the gas.