EXPERIMENT #8

Section, Year, GROUP NUMBER: BETMT-AET-NS 2B (GROUP 4) Date: MAY 25, 2023
Compiler: RAMOS, JOSEPH RODERICK M. Subject: PHYSICS FOR
Members: ENGINEERING LABORATORY
 NAZ, JOSE MIGUEL C.
 NOGOT, JOHN MARK ANGELO
 OCAY, MICHAEL JUNE
 PALCO, NOEL M.
 QUINTO, MARK ARCHIE

“LINEAR THERMAL EXPANSION”

I. Objectives
 To determine the coefficient of linear expansion of a metal rod.
II. Materials
Linear expansion apparatus - The linear
expansion apparatus is used to study linear
thermal expansion. It consists of a sample
material, a holder, a thermometer, and a linear
scale.

Meterstick - a measuring stick one meter long

that is marked off in centimeters and usually
millimeters.

Steam generator - A steam generator provides

controlled heating by producing steam, which is
used to raise the temperature of the sample in a
linear thermal expansion experiment.

Burner - The burner provides heat to induce

temperature changes in the sample material,
causing thermal expansion in a linear thermal
expansion experiment.
Digital thermometer - Its primary purpose is to
provide accurate temperature readings
throughout the experiment.

Digital ohmmeter – It is used to measure

electrical resistance in circuits and components,
but it does not have a direct function in a linear
thermal expansion experiment.

Catch pan - It collects any debris or substances

that may be released during the experiment,
ensuring a clean and safe environment.

Rubber tubing - used for securing the sample,

providing thermal insulation, and protecting it
from damage or interference.
III. THEORY
It is a well-known fact that nearly every object expands when its temperature rises and
contracts when its temperature drops. When an object expands, all its linear
dimensions increase. These increase or decrease in linear dimensions due to
temperature change is small but it is of great importance in technological applications
and in our everyday life. Railroad tracks are provided with clearance or gap due to
anticipated expansion during hot days. Also, bridges have what we call expansion ends to take
care of the expansion due to temperature change. This temperature effect is also utilized in
inserting a wheel of smaller internal diameter to fit snugly into a shaft. The amount of linear
expansion ΔL due to temperature depends on three factors, namely: (1) material length
Lo, (2) change in temperature ΔT, (3) constant associated with the material which we
call coefficient of linear expansion α. The linear expansion can be obtained from the
equation below.

IV. PROCEDURE
V. Answers and Solutions

Table 1.
 TABLE 2.

ANALYSIS:

Thermal Linear Analysis establishes the characteristic of a specimen's expansion and/or contraction in relation
to temperature. The percentage of linear thermal change (expansion or shrinkage) vs temperature as measured
by an Orton dilatometer is displayed numerically and graphically.

CONCLUSION:

Thermal expansion is the tendency of matter to increase in volume or pressure when heated. As a result of the
experiment, I found out that materials having a change in temperature will have a change in dimension or
length. The expansion of a material also depends on the value of its coefficient of linear expansion, the higher
the coefficient of linear expansion the more it will expand. Therefore, they are directly proportional to one
another. Based on the results achieved, aluminum has greater change in length than that of the copper. So
therefore, we can conclude that an object with greater coefficient of linear expansion will most probably have
the greater change in length.
 VI. Answers to Guide Questions

Questions:
1. Most modern electrical heating and cooling devices are provided with thermostat. What is the purpose
of the thermostat in these devices? Why are these devices equipped with thermostat?
2. A side from being transparent, why are laboratory apparatus such as graduated cylinder, beakers, and
flasks made up of glass?
3. What will happen to steel railroad tracks on a hot day if the tracks were laid out during a cold day
without clearance or gap? Justify your answer.
4. A glass flask of volume 200 cc is just filled with mercury at 20oC. How much mercury will overflow when
the temperature of the system is raised to 100oC? The coefficients of volume expansion are 1.2 x
10-5/Co for glass and 18 x 10-5/Co for mercury.
5. An aluminium rod is 12 cm long at 10oC. At the same condition, an iron rod is 12.02 cm in length. At
what temperature will the lengths of the two rods be the same?

Answers:

NAZ, JOSE MIGUEL C.

1. It is used to regulate the desired temperature in the system whether hot or cold in air conditioner or
heaters.
2. It is used because of its resistance to chemical. Chemicals won’t react when touched the glass and it’s
easy to clean.
3. Due to extreme heat during hot day the rail road expand leads to misalignment of the tracks leads to
train accident.
4.
 5. For aluminium, α = 2.4 x 10-5/Co; for steel, α = 1.2 x 10-5/Co.

NOGOT, JOHN MARK ANGELO

1. The purpose of thermostat is to control the temperature in electrical devices.

2. Because glass is easy to clean and cheap, abundant and its doesn’t react with chemicals. It’s easy to see
the reaction progress, or extraction, flotation etc.
3. Intense heat causes steel railroad tracks to expand and to buckle under the extra stress. If there is no
gap between the two railroad connections, it will cause misalignment of the track that will lead to
accidents.

OCAY, MICHAEL JUNE

1. Thermostat, device to detect temperature changes for the purpose of maintaining the temperature of
an enclosed area essentially constant.
System including relays, valves, switches, etc., the thermostat generates signals, usually electrical, when
the temperature exceeds or falls below the desired value.
2. Most of the laboratory apparatus is made of glass because:
Glass is easy to clean. Glass is a transparent material, and we can see through it clearly. It does not react
with most of the chemicals used in experiments. Glass withstands high temperatures.
3. Steel has such property that causes expansion of the railroad in both (lateral, longitudinal) directions
when it is heated. So, If there is no gap between the two railroad connections, it will cause misalignment
of the track during hot days and maybe it will lead to accidents sometimes.
4.
QUINTO, MARK ARCHIE

1. A thermostat is a device that detects temperature changes with the goal of maintaining a relatively
constant temperature in an enclosed space. When the temperature exceeds or goes below the desired
level in a system that also includes relays, valves, switches, etc., the thermostat generates signals usually
electrical ones.
2. Cleaning glass is simple. Glass is a transparent substance that allows for clear vision. Most of the
chemicals used in tests don't react with it.
3. The rails grow as a result of thermal expansion brought on by summer's increased temperatures.
Summertime expansion may cause the rails to bend sideways and result in train accidents if there is not
enough space between them.
4. 5.

RAMOS, JOSEPH RODERICK M.

1. Thermostat: a device that monitors temperature changes with the aim of keeping an enclosed space's
temperature roughly constant.
The thermostat generates signals, typically electrical, when the temperature rises or falls above or below
the intended value. The system includes relays, valves, switches, etc.
2. Most of the laboratory equipment is constructed of glass since it is simple to clean. Glass is a
transparent substance that allows for clear vision. Most of the chemicals used in studies don't react with
it. Glass can endure very hot temperatures.
3. When steel is heated, it possesses a characteristic that causes the railroad to expand in both lateral and
longitudinal directions. Therefore, if there is no space between the two railroad connections, the track
will be out of alignment on hot days, which could occasionally result in accidents.
4. 5.