When solids are heated, there is an increase in their temperature along with the increase in their length, breadth and thickness.
When a substance in the form of wire or rod is heated, its length increases and this is termed as linear expansion.
When a metal plate is heated, its length and breadth both increase. This increases the area and is called as superficial expansion.
When a cube is heated, it expands in all the directions i.e. its length, breadth and thickness increase. This change in volume is called cubical expansion.