What is Thermal Expansion?
Thermal expansion is the phenomenon observed in solids, liquids, and gases. In this process, an object or body expands on the application of heat (temperature). Thermal expansion defines the tendency of an object to change its dimension either in length, density, area, or volume due to heat. When the substance is heated it increases its kinetic energy. Thermal expansion is of three types:
- Linear expansion
- Area expansion
- Volume expansion
Thermal Expansion in Metals
It is a well-known phenomenon now that substances expand on heating and contract on cooling. If you heat a body, it alters its dimensions. Depending on the shape of the body. The expansion can occur in length in which case it is called Linear Expansion.
If we take a square tile and heat it, the expansion will be on two fronts, length and breadth, here it is called Area Expansion.
If we take a cube and heat it, all its sides expand and now the body experiences an increase in the overall volume due to this and it is called Volume Expansion.
How to Calculate Linear Thermal Expansion?
Linear Thermal Expansion calculator uses Change in Length = Coefficient of Thermal Expansion*Length of Bar*Difference in Temperature to calculate the Change in Length, The Linear Thermal expansion occurs when the temperature acts on the body, it undergoes a change in the length, width, height, or volume of the material. Since the atoms are tightly packed in solids, thermal expansion is seen evidently here. Change in Length is denoted by ΔL symbol.
How to calculate Linear Thermal Expansion using this online calculator? To use this online calculator for Linear Thermal Expansion, enter Coefficient of Thermal Expansion (αthermal), Length of Bar (Lbar) & Difference in Temperature (Δθ) and hit the calculate button. Here is how the Linear Thermal Expansion calculation can be explained with given input values -> 4.5E+7 = 1.51*2*15.