What happens to the size of a hole in a metal plate when the plate is heated / cooled
When a metal plate is heated, its overall size tends to increase due to thermal expansion. Conversely, when a metal plate is cooled, its overall size tends to decrease due to thermal contraction.
As a metal plate is heated, the molecules within the plate begin to vibrate more vigorously, increasing their kinetic energy. This increased kinetic energy causes the molecules to spread out slightly, leading to the expansion of the metal plate as a whole. Consequently, any holes or gaps in the plate, such as a drilled hole, will also experience this thermal expansion and increase in size.
On the other hand, when a metal plate is cooled, the molecules within it lose kinetic energy, slowing down their vibration. As a result, the molecules become more closely packed together, leading to the contraction of the metal plate. Consequently, any holes in the plate, including drilled holes, will also undergo this thermal contraction and decrease in size.
It's important to note that the extent of thermal expansion or contraction depends on the specific properties of the metal being used. Different metals have different coefficients of thermal expansion, which determines how much they expand or contract with temperature changes.