Answer to Question #101855 in Molecular Physics | Thermodynamics for Jemima

Question

A steel rod increases its length by 5mm when the temperature increases by 10°c. What is the initial length of the rod if the coefficient of linear expansion for steel is 0.00011°c

Answer 1

Here because the rod is heated, the temperature increases the length of the rod and this is known as linear expansion of materials.

From the thermal expansion equation,

$ΔL = α * L * ΔT$

Change in Length (ΔL)

original length of the rod (L)

change in temperature ( ΔT)

And α is coefficient of linear expansion which depends on the material used.

Substituting,

$5*10^{-3}=0.00011*L*10\\ L=4.54545455m$