Thermal Expansion and Measurement Calculations

Thermal Expansion and Length Change

When materials are exposed to changes in temperature, they undergo thermal expansion or contraction. Thermal expansion refers to the increase in length of a material as its temperature rises. Conversely, contraction occurs when the temperature decreases.

Calculating the change in length due to thermal expansion involves using the coefficient of linear expansion, initial length, and change in temperature in a simple formula. The formula is:

ΔL = αL₀ΔT

Where:

• ΔL = change in length
• α = coefficient of linear expansion
• L₀ = initial length
• ΔT = change in temperature