What is linear expansivity of a solid?
The linear expansivity of a solid, also known as the linear expansion coefficient or thermal expansion coefficient, is a measure of how much a solid material expands or contracts in length per unit change in temperature. It is denoted by the symbol α (alpha).
To understand and calculate the linear expansivity of a solid, you need three pieces of information:
1. Initial Length (L₀): The length of the solid at the starting temperature.
2. Final Length (L): The length of the solid at the final temperature.
3. Temperature Change (ΔT): The difference between the final and initial temperatures.
Given these values, the linear expansivity (α) can be calculated using the formula:
α = (L - L₀) / (L₀ * ΔT)
By plugging the values into the formula, you can find the linear expansivity of a solid. Make sure the units for length are consistent (e.g., if the length is in meters, the linear expansivity will be in inverse degrees Celsius or inverse degrees Kelvin).
It's important to note that the linear expansivity coefficient may vary for different materials, and it is an important factor to consider in various engineering and thermal calculations.