what is linear expansion
Linear expansion is the term that describes how things get longer when their temperature increases. It is usually applied to solids.
There is a number called the "coefficient of linear thermal expansion" that be used to predict how much an objects's length changes when the temperature changes.
Since this is not my area of expertise, I searched Google under the key words "linear expansion" to get this:
http://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=linear+expansion&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8
You might want to use additional key words.
In the future, you can find the information you desire more quickly, if you use appropriate key words to do your own search. Also see http://hanlib.sou.edu/searchtools/.
Linear expansion refers to the increase in length, width, or height of an object when it is subjected to temperature changes. When an object is heated, its atoms and molecules gain kinetic energy, causing them to vibrate and move more vigorously. This increased motion leads to an expansion of the object's dimensions.
To calculate the linear expansion of an object, you need to know its original length (L₀), the change in temperature (ΔT), and its coefficient of linear expansion (α). The coefficient of linear expansion is a property of the material and indicates how much the object will expand per unit length for each 1-degree Celsius (or Kelvin) increase in temperature.
The formula for linear expansion (ΔL) is given by:
ΔL = α * L₀ * ΔT
where:
- ΔL is the change in length
- α is the coefficient of linear expansion
- L₀ is the original length of the object
- ΔT is the change in temperature
By substituting the values into the formula, you can calculate the change in length due to thermal expansion. Keep in mind that the coefficient of linear expansion varies for different materials, so it's important to use the correct value for your specific material.
Understanding linear expansion is crucial in various fields, such as civil engineering, architecture, and manufacturing, where precise measurements and calculations are required to compensate for thermal effects.