Experiment 301: Linear Expansion: SUMMARY (E301)

EXPERIMENT 301: LINEAR EXPANSION
SUMMARY (E301)
We were given 2 different metal tubes, digital multi-tester, steam generator,

and an expansion base to use in the experiment. Making sure that each procedure
was done properly, we obtain the initial length, the resistance at room temperature,
the initial and the final temperature of the tube. We were able to obtain the change
in length with the values obtained in the experiment.
All solid, liquid or gas experience a change in dimension if the temperature
also changes. The change in thermal expansion for one dimensional is called
Linear Expansion. Linear Expansion can be obtained by the product of the
coefficient of linear expansion, the initial length and the change in temperature.
The linear expansion can also be obtained by the difference between the final and
initial length of the rod. The ratio of the change in length to its initial length is also
the same as the product of its coefficient of linear expansion and the change in
temperature.
The concept of thermal expansion, mainly the linear expansion, agree with
the results in our experiment. Since the change in temperature is less than 100C o,
the change in length is to be directly proportional to the change in temperature, the
coefficient of linear expansion and the initial length of the rod. Since in the
experiment, the coefficient of linear expansion and the initial length are constant,
the temperature acts alone to prove the relationship of linear expansion.
ANALYSIS (E301)
1. In the performance of the experiment, cite the possible sources of error and its effect in
the computed values. What are the recommendations then to minimize such error?
 The water remained inside from the metal tube can lead to inaccuracy since the
water can absorb heat that released by the steam generator. To minimize the error,
make sure that the tube is dry.
 The measurement using a Meter Stick can lead to inaccuracy. To minimize the
error, get the value more than once and average it.
 The value obtained from the Digital Multi Tester can also lead to inaccuracy
because it keeps changing since the room temperature changes. To minimize the
error, turn off the electric fan and wait for the tester to stop.
2. Would the result be different if the condensed water was not drained from the expansion
tube? Why?
 The result would be different if the condensed water was not drained from the
expansion tube. The water has a high heat capacity which absorbs heat that
released by the steam generator.
3. After performing the experiment, can you identify the different factors or components
that may affect the change in the dimension of a material? What generalization can you
make regarding their relationships?
 After performing the experiment and computations, we identified the different
factors that mainly affect the change in the dimension of a material. The first
factor is the initial length of the body, the second factor is the change in the
temperature and the last factor is the coefficient of linear expansion. All these
factors are directly proportional to the change in length of the material, where as a
factor/s increase/s, the change in length increases.
CONCLUSION (E301)
1. Are the objectives of the experiment met? Explain.
 Based on the data gathered, we were able to determine the coefficient of linear expansion
of a metal rod by simply following the instructions. In the experiment, the Aluminum
Tube has greater change in length than Copper Tube. Thus, an object with greater
coefficient of linear expansion, the greater the change in length.
 Based on our observations, we were able to determine the factors affecting the change in
length in thermal expansion by observing each process. In the experiment, we found out
that as (1) the coefficient of linear expansion, and/or (2) the temperature, and/or (3) the
initial length increases, the change in length also increases. Thus, the change in length is
directly proportional to the three factors mentioned.
2. Discuss the practical application of the concepts learned from the experiment.
Any piece of steel when heated tends to expand. For most rail steels, the
coefficient of expansion is roughly 6.5x10-6in/oF of temperature rise. That may not seem
like much, until you figure that there are 63,360 inches in a mile of rail steel. Thus, a rise
in temperature from 40 oF to 140 oF can cause a one- mile strand of rail to grow by 41
inches. If left unchecked, that expansion would cause the track to buckle. In order to
control that expansion, rail anchors are used to firmly anchor the rail to the crossties, and
prevent any longitudinal movement.
Railway tracks have gaps to allow for expansion when the tracks heat up. As the
tracks get hotter, they expand and get slightly larger. They have fishplates located
between the joins to force the rails back into lateral alignment and thus prevent
derailments. Now, it is often cut on a diagonal to prevent misalignment. The thermal
expansion and contraction of rail track is minimal and the forces push to the outside
rather than along the rail. They are also there, because segments of rail have traditionally
been required to be removed and replaced easily and so had to be made a manageable
length.

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EXPERIMENT 301: LINEAR EXPANSION

We were given 2 different metal tubes, digital multi-tester, steam generator,

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