Julia Bien D.

Florencio

CIV151

Physics Lab II

Questions:
1. A metal rod 40 cm long at 40 C is heated to 60 C. The length of the rod is then
measured to be in 40.0105 cm. What is the coefficient of linear expansion of the
metal.
Given: Lo = 40 cm; T= 20 C; Lf = 40.0105 cm
Required: (coefficient of linear expansion) = ?

L=L o T

Equation:
Solution:

L=L o T

L
Lo T

( 40.0105cm40 cm)
(60C40 C)(40 cm)

=0.000013

cm
cm
1.3125 x 105
C
c

2. The coefficient of linear expansion of aluminum is 2.3 x 10 -6/C. A circular hole in

an aluminum plate os 2.725 cm in diameter at 0 C. What is the diameter of the
hole if the temperature of the plate is raised to 100 C?
Given:

=2.3 x 106 /C ; Lo =2.725 cm; T o=0 C ;T f =100 C

Required: Lf = ?
Equation:
Solution:

L=L o T

L=L o T

Lf Lo=L o T

Lf 2.75 cm=

2.3 x 106
( 2.725 cm ) (100 C)
C

Lf =2.73 cm
3. The coefficient of linear expansion of steel is 12 x 10 -6 per C. A railroad track is
made of individual rails of steel 1 km in length. By what length would these rails
change between a cold day when the temperature is -10 C and a hot day at 30
C?
Given:

=12 x 10 ; Lo=1 km; T o=30 C ; T f =10C

Required:

Equation:

L=L o T

=?

 L=L o T

Solution:

6
12 x 10
L=
(1 km) 1030 C)
c

L=4.8 x 10 km

Computation:

Brass:

Error =

Error
x 100
True Value

Error =

2.3 x 107
x 100
2.4 x 106

a=2.4 x 105

L=L o T
a=

L
LoT

0.07 cm
a=
( 52.4 cm ) ( 9424.5 C )

% Error = 3.158 %
Aluminum:

L=L o T

Error=True ValueExperimental Value

Error=1.96 x 105
Error=2.9 x 107
Error =

Error
x 100
True Value

Error =

2.9 x 107
x 100
2.4 x 106

a=1.96 x 10

L
LoT
Error=True ValueExperimental Value
a=

Error=2.3 x 107

a=

0.07 cm
( 52.4 cm) ( 8025C )

% Error = 1.21 %

Set-up of apparatus:

Linear expansion
apparatus

Steam generator

Meter Stick

Thermometer Electric stove

SET-UP:
Steam generator is
connected to the linear
expansion apparatus to
transfer heat. A
thermometer is attached
to the linear expansion
apparatus to monitor the
change in temperature.

Inaccuracy in measurement can be obtained is when the specifications

are not clearly defined. The best way to minimize definition errors is to
carefully consider and specify the conditions that could affect the
Group performance setmeasurement. Another
cause is accounting all possible factors except
up
the one independent variable that is being analyzed. Certain vibrations,
drafts, changes in temperature, electronic noise or other effects from
nearby apparatus. Lastly, failure to calibrate or check zero of instrument

To obtain measurement accuracy, we must consider all the factors that

affect the performance of our substances and instrument. One factor is
thermal expansion, the tendency of matter to change in shape, area,
and volume in response to a change in temperature, through heat
transfer. We must perform the experiment in normal room temperature
to prevent the expansion in length of the materials that would cause
errors in our records. If not, we must compute the change in length of