Thermal

Expansion
 Prepared by: Kinzer Kyle D. Dador BSECE-
Thermal Expansion
1A

Learning Outcomes: at the end of the module the student should be able to,

1. Discussed temperature scales and thermal expansion.

2. Calculated the linear expansion of an object given its initial length, change in temperature,
and coefficient of linear expansion.
3. Computed the area expansion of an object given its initial area, change in temperature,
and coefficient of area expansion.
4. Solved the volume expansion of an object given its initial volume, change in temperature,
and coefficient of volume expansion.

Introduction
This module is about thermal physics, the study of temperature, heat and how
they affect matter. Heat leads to changes in internal energy and thus to changes in
temperature which causes expansion or contraction of matter. Heat is a thermal
quantity which is a measure of the total molecular energy. Temperature is a measure
of the average translational kinetic energy of the molecules.

Theory
Thermal expansion is the tendency of matter to change in length, area or volume
in response to a change in temperature. Atoms and molecules in a solid, for instance,
constantly oscillate around its equilibrium point. This kind of excitation is called thermal
motion. When a substance is heated, its constituent particles begin moving more, thus
maintaining a greater average separation with their neighboring particles. The degree
of expansion divided by the change in temperature is called the material’s coefficient of
thermal expansion; it generally varies with temperature.
 Thermal Expansion

- is the tendency of matter to change its shape, area, and volume in response to
a change in temperature.

Temperature may be measured on the Celsius scale, on which the freezing point of
water is at 0°C, and the boiling point (under standard conditions) is at 100°C. The
Kelvin (absolute) scale is displaced 273.15 Celsius-size degrees from the Celsius scale,
so that the freezing point of water is 273.15K and the boiling point is 370.15K. The still-
used Fahrenheit scale is related to the Celsius scale by

Celsius Temperature = 5/9 (Fahrenheit Temperature) -32

Fahrenheit Temperature = 9/5 (Celsius Temperature) +32

Rankine Temperature = (Fahrenheit Temperature) +459.57

Kelvin Temperature = (Celsius Temperature) +273.15

Linear Expansions of Solids: When a solid is subjected to a rise in temperature ΔT,

its increase in length ΔL is very nearly proportional to its initial length Lo multiplied by
ΔT. That is

ΔL= � Lo ΔT
Where: Coefficient of Linear Expansion α

ΔL = change in length in meters

� = coefficient of linear expansion in /oC

Lo = initial length in meters

ΔT = change in temperature (Tf - To) in oC

Where the proportionality constant � is called the coefficient of linear expansion. The
value of � depends on the nature of the substance. For our purposes we can take � to
be constant independent of T, although that’s rarely, if ever, exactly true.

From the above equation, � is the change in length per unit initial length per
degree change in temperature. For example, if at 1.000000 cm of length in brass
becomes 1.000019 cm long when the temperature is raised 1.0°C, the linear expansion
coefficient of brass is:

� = ��/ Lo ΔT

= 0.000019 cm/ (1.0 cm) (1.0℃)

= 1.9x10-5 /oC

Area Expansion: If an area Ao expands to Ao + ΔA when subjected to a temperature

rise then ΔT, then

ΔA = �AoΔT

Where:

ΔA = change in area in cm2

� = coefficient of area expansion in /oC

Ao = initial length in cm2

ΔT = change in temperature (Tf - To) in oC

where � is coefficient of area expansion. For isotropic solids (those that expands in the
same way in all directions), � = 2� approximately.
 Volume Expansion: If a volume Vo changes by an amount ΔV when subjected to
temperature change of ΔT, then

ΔV = �Vo ΔT

Where: Coefficient of Volume Expansion of Material

ΔV = change in volume in m3

� = coefficient of volume expansion in /oC

Vo = initial volume in m3

ΔT = change in temperature (Tf - To) in oC

Where � is the coefficient of volume expansion. This can be either an increase or

decrease in volume. For isotropic solids, � = 3� approximately.

Sample Problems:

Temperature Scales

1. Change the following temperature scales to the centigrade scale. a) -30 0F b) 30 K c)

10 R

5
a) Centigrade scale = 9
(Fahrenheit temp - 32)

5
= 9
( -30 0F – 32)

= -34.44 0C

b) Kelvin temp. = Celsius temp + 273.15

= 30 K – 273.15

= -243.15 0C

c) Rankine temp. = Fahrenheit temp + 460

 Fahrenheit temp. = Rankine temp – 460

= 10 R – 460

= -450 0F

Celsius temp. = 5/9 (Fahrenheit temp. – 32)

= 5/9 (-450 0F -32)

= -267.78 0C

Linear Expansion

1. A steel is 40 cm long at 20 oC. The coefficient of linear expansion for steel is

12 x 10-6 (Co)-1. The increase in length and the final length when it is at 70 oC will
be?

Solution:

Given:

Lo = 40 cm

ΔT = (Tf – To)

= 70oC – 20oC = 50oC

Coefficient of linear expansion for steel (� = 12 x 10-6/oC)

ΔL = � Lo ΔT

= (12 x10-6/oC) (40 cm) (50 oC)

ΔL = 0.024 cm
 2. An iron rod heated from 30 oC to 80 oC. The final length of iron is 115 cm and
the coefficient of linear expansion is 3 x10-3 oC-1. What is the original length and
the change in length of the iron?

Solution:

Given:

The change in temperature (ΔT) = 80 oC – 30 oC = 50 oC

The final length (Lf) = 115 cm
The coefficient of linear expansion (�) = 3 x10-3/oC

A. The original length (Lo)

Formula of the change in length for the linear expansion:
ΔL = � Lo ΔT

Formula of the final length:

Lf = Lo + ΔL
Lf = Lo + α Lo ΔT
Lf = Lo (1 + α ΔT)
115 cm = Lo [1 + (3 x10-3/oC) (50 oC)]
115 cm = Lo (1 + 150 x10-3)
115 cm = Lo (1 + 0.15)
115cm = Lo (1.15)
Lo = 115 cm / 1.15

Lo = 100 cm

B. The change in length (ΔL)

ΔL = Lf – Lo
ΔL = 115 cm – 100 cm

ΔL = 15 cm
Area Expansion

1. At 20 oC, the length of a sheet of steel is 50 cm and the width is 30 cm. If the
coefficient of linear expansion for steel is 10-5/oC, determine the change in
area and the final area at 60 oC.
Solution:
Given:
The initial temperature (To) = 20oC
The final temperature (Tf) = 60oC
The change in temperature (ΔT) = 60oC – 20oC = 40oC
The initial area (Ao) = length x width (formula finding for the area of a rectangle)
(Ao) = 50 cm x 30 cm = 1500 cm2
The coefficient of linear expansion for steel (�) = 1 x10-5/oC
The coefficient of area expansion for steel (�) = 2� = 2 x10-5/oC

A. The change in area (ΔA):

ΔA = � Ao ΔT
ΔA = (2 x 10-5/oC)(1500 cm2)(40 oC)
ΔA = (80 x 10-5)(1500 cm2)
ΔA = 120,000 x 10-5 cm2
ΔA = 1.2 cm2

B. The final area (Af) :

Af = Ao + ΔA,
Af = 1500 cm2 + 1.2 cm2

Af = 1501.2 cm2
 2. At 30 oC, the area of a sheet of aluminum is 40 cm2 and the coefficient of
linear expansion is 24 x 10-6 /oC. Determine the final temperature if the final
area is 40.2 cm2.
Solution:
Given:
The initial temperature (To) = 30 oC
The coefficient of linear expansion (�) = 24 x 10-6/oC
The coefficient of area expansion (�) = 2 = 2 (24 x 10-6/oC) = 48 x 10-6/oC
The initial area (Ao) = 40 cm2
The final area (Af) = 40.2 cm2
The change in area (ΔA) = (40.2 cm2 – 40 cm2) = 0.2 cm2

Formula of the change in area (ΔA):

ΔA = � Ao ΔT
The final temperature (Tf):
ΔA = � A1 (Tf – To)
0.2 cm2 = (48 x 10-6/oC) (40 cm2)(Tf – 30 oC)
0.2 = (1920 x 10-6) (Tf – 30)
0.2 = (1.920 x 10-3) (Tf – 30)
0.2 = (2 x 10-3) (Tf – 30)
0.2 / (2 x 10-3) = Tf – 30
0.1 x 103 = Tf – 30
1 x 102 = Tf – 30
100 = Tf – 30
100 + 30 = Tf

Tf = 130oC
The final temperature = 130oC
Volume Expansion

1. At 30 oC the volume of an aluminum sphere is 30 cm3. The coefficient of linear

expansion is 24 x10-6/oC. If the final volume is 30.5 cm3, what is the final
temperature of the aluminum sphere?

Solution:
Given:
The coefficient of linear expansion (�) = 24 x10-6 oC-1
The coefficient of volume expansion (β) = 3� = 3(24 x10-6/oC) = 72 x10-6/oC
The initial temperature (To) = 30oC
The initial volume (Vo) = 30 cm3
The final volume (Vf) = 30.5 cm3
The change in volume (ΔV) = 30.5 cm3 – 30 cm3 = 0.5 cm3

The final temperature (Tf)

ΔV = β (Vo)(ΔT)
ΔV = β (Vo)(Tf – To)
0.5 cm3 = (72 x10-6/oC)(30 cm3)(Tf – 30oC)
0.5 = (2160 x10-6)(Tf – 30)
0.5 = (2.160 x 10-3)(Tf – 30)
0.5 / (2.160 x 10-3) = Tf – 30
0.23 x 103 = Tf – 30
0.23 x 1000 = Tf – 30
230 = Tf – 30
230 + 30 = Tf
Tf = 260oC
 2. A glass of water with volume 1 liter is completely filled at 5°C. What is the
change in volume when the temperature is raised to 85°C?

Solution:

Given:

Volume of water = 1L

Initial Temperature (To) = 5°C

Final Temperature (Tf) = 85°C

ΔT = (85°C - 5°C) = 80°C

Coefficient of Water (β) = 207 x10-6/°C

Substitute all the values:

ΔV = β (Vo) (ΔT)
= (207 x10-6/°C) (1L)(80°C)
ΔV = 0.017L

Key terms/Summary:

1. Thermal expansion is the increase, or decrease, of the size (length, area, or volume) of a body
due to a change in temperature.
2. Thermal expansion is large for gases, and relatively small, but not negligible, for liquids and
solids.
3. Linear thermal expansion is (ΔL= � Lo ΔT).
Where �� is the change in length, �� is the change in temperature, and α is the coefficient of
linear expansion, which varies slightly with temperature.
4. The change in area due to thermal expansion is (ΔA = �AoΔT).
Where �� is the change in length, �� is the change in temperature, and � is the coefficient of
linear expansion or it is also equal to��, which varies slightly with temperature.
5. The change in volume due to thermal expansion is (ΔV = �Vo ΔT).
Where �� is the change in length, �� is the change in temperature, and � is the coefficient of
linear expansion or it is also equal to��, which varies slightly with temperature.
Assignment:

1. The main span of San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge is 1275m long at its
coldest. The bridge is exposed to temperature ranging from -15oC 40oC. What is
the change in length in between these temperatures? Assume that the bridge is
made entirely of steel. (Coefficient of steel is 12 x10-6/oC)
Answer: ΔL = 0.84m
2. Suppose your 60.0L (15.9 –gal –gal) steel gasoline tank is full of gas that is cool
because it has just been pumped from an underground reservoir. Now both the
tank and the gasoline have a temperature of 15oC. How much gasoline spilled by
the time they warm to 35.0 oC?
Answer: ΔV = 1.10 L
3. The height of the Washington Monument is measured to be 170.00 m on a day
when the temperature is 35.0 °C. What will its height be on a day when the
temperature falls to −10.0 °C? Although the monument is made of limestone,
assume that its coefficient of thermal expansion is the same as that of marble.
Give your answer to five significant figures.
(Coefficient of Linear Expansion of marble is 2.5 x10-6/oC)
Answer: ΔL = 169.98 m
4. Most cars have a coolant reservoir to catch radiator fluid that may overflow when
the engine is hot. A radiator is made of copper and is filled to its 16.0-L capacity
when at 10.0 °C. What volume of radiator fluid will overflow?
Answer: ΔV = 0.475 L
5. The radius of a ring at 20 oC is 20 cm. If the final radius at 100 oC is 20.5 cm,
determine the coefficient of area expansion.
Answer: � =7.2 x10-4/oC
SUPPLEMENTARY PROBLEMS:

1. A brass rod is .500 m long at 20.0°C. What is the length of the rod if it is heated to
50.0°C? (Coefficient of brass is 19 x10-6/oC)
2. A steel beam 12.0m sits next to a concrete wall when the temperature is 20.0°C. A gap
must be left between the beam and the concrete wall for expansion purposes. If the
temperature rises to 45.0°C, how large must the gap be if the steel beam just touches
the concrete wall?
3. There are 500 m3 of air in a shop at 20.0 °C. What is the difference in volume if the
temperature is 0°C?
4. A metal rod 0.50 m is heated from 15°C to 95°C. The length of the rod increases by
0.96 mm. What is the coefficient of expansion for the rod?
5. How much taller does the Eiffel Tower become at the end of a day when the
temperature has increased by 18 °C? Its original height is 300.0 m and you can assume
it is made of steel. (Coefficient of steel is 11 x10-6 oC-1)
6. What is the change in length of a 3.00-cm-long column of mercury if its temperature
changes from 37.0 °C to 40.0 °C, assuming the mercury are constrained to a cylinder
but unconstrained in length? Your answer will show why thermometers contain bulbs at
the bottom instead of simple columns of liquid. (Coefficient of mercury is 6.0 x10-5/oC)
7. (a) Suppose a meter stick made of steel and one made of aluminum are the same
length at 0 °C. What is their difference in length at 22.0 °C? (b) Repeat the calculation
for two 30.0-m-long surveyor’s tapes.
(Coefficient for aluminum is 2.5 x10-5/oC and for steel is 1.2 x10-5/oC)
8. A vertical steel antenna tower is 200 m high. Calculate the change in height of the tower
that takes place when the temperature changes form 20oC on a winter day to 30oC on a
summer day. (Coefficient of steel antenna is 1.1 x10-5/oC
9. A metal rod is 200.00 cm long at 0oC and 200.18 cm long at 60oC. What is its coefficient
of linear expansion?
10. A metal vessel has a volume of 500.00 cm at 0oC. If the coefficient of volume expansion
of the metal is 3.3 x10-5/oC, what is the volume at 50oC?
SUPPLEMENTARY Problems ANSWER KEY

1. 2.85 x 10-4 m
2. 3.60 x 10-3 m
3. 34 m3
4. 2.4 x 10-5/ºC
5. 0.0594 m
6. 5.4 x10-6 m
7. 2.9 x10-4 m
8. 0.11 m
9. 1.5 x10-5/oC
10.500.82 cm3

References:

1. https://opentextbc.ca

2. https://physics.gurumuda.net

3. Frederick Bueche and Eugene Hecht, Schaum’s Outline Series for College Physics, 9th

Edition, McGraw-hill Book Company,1997

4. Raymund Serway and Chris Vuille, Physics Fundamentals 2, Cengage Learning Asia

Ptd Ltd, 2012