Answer to Question #277376 in Physics for Tabassum

Question

How much will a 1-km steel bridge expand due to a 10 K temperature change? 

1.2 m

12 cm

12 m

6 cm

Answer 1

We can find the increase in the length of a steel bridge as follows:

$$\Delta L = \alpha L\Delta T,$$ $$\Delta L = 12\times10^{-6}\ K^{-1}\times1000\ m\times10\ K=0.12\ m=12\ cm.$$