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Linear Thermal Expansion Formula:
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Linear thermal expansion describes how the length of a material changes with temperature. Most materials expand when heated and contract when cooled, with the degree of expansion depending on the material's properties.
The calculator uses the linear thermal expansion formula:
Where:
Explanation: The formula calculates how much a material expands or contracts when its temperature changes, based on its original length and thermal expansion properties.
Details: Understanding thermal expansion is crucial in engineering, construction, and manufacturing to account for dimensional changes in materials with temperature fluctuations, preventing structural failures and ensuring proper fit of components.
Tips: Enter the original length in meters, the coefficient of thermal expansion in 1/K, and the temperature change in Kelvin. All values must be valid (length > 0, α > 0).
Q1: What are typical values for coefficient of thermal expansion?
A: Values vary by material. For example, steel: ~12×10⁻⁶ 1/K, aluminum: ~23×10⁻⁶ 1/K, glass: ~8.5×10⁻⁶ 1/K.
Q2: Why is temperature change measured in Kelvin?
A: Kelvin is used because it's an absolute temperature scale where a 1K change equals a 1°C change, but without negative values that could complicate calculations.
Q3: Does this formula work for all materials?
A: The linear expansion formula works well for isotropic solids. Some materials (like composites or crystals) may have different expansion coefficients in different directions.
Q4: What about area or volume expansion?
A: For area expansion, use 2α; for volume expansion, use 3α, assuming isotropic materials.
Q5: Are there materials that contract when heated?
A: Yes, some materials like water between 0-4°C and certain ceramics exhibit negative thermal expansion coefficients.