IPHYLAB2 – K01

April 17, 2019

Experiment Number: 2
Experiment Title: Coefficient of Linear Expansion

I. OBJECTIVE
To determine the linear thermal expansion of some metal alloys.
To determine the linear expansion coefficient of some metal alloys.

II. MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT

Quantity Item
1 Longitudinal expansion
apparatus
1 Dial gauge, 10 mm.
1 Holder for Dial Gauge
1 Thermometer
1 Steam Generator
2 Silicon Tubing
1 Petri dish
 1 Meter stick

III. SET UP/ DIAGRAM

IV. PROCEDURE
1. Fill the steam generator with a half-full of water.
2. Measure the length of the rod, Li and record your data in the given table
3. Connect the expansion apparatus to the steam generator using the silicon tubing, that is,
connect the open end of the brass (or steel) rod and the hose nipple to the hose nipple of
the steam generator
4. Calibrate the dial gauge to zero by rotating the screw (see illustration above) connected to
the tube. Be sure not to make it too tight so the rod will have a space for expansion.
5. Measure the initial temperature, Th of the metal rod by placing the thermometer on top of
the rod, middle part, and record your data in the table. Do not place the thermometer near
the dial gauge to avoid pushing the needle of the dial gauge.
6. Is when the rod reaches its final expansion.
7. Record the temperature reading, Tf and the reading in the dial gauge as the difference in
length, ∆t, of the metal rod in Table 2.1. Do not forget that the unit of the dial gauge per
line reading is 0.01 mm. This is the expansion of the metal rod.
8. Calculate for the coefficient of linear expansion using the formula below.
9. Switch on the steam generator and consistently hold the thermometer until the dial gauge
stops moving, that
 ∆𝐿
𝛼=
𝐿𝑖 ∆𝑇
Where: α = coefficient of linear expansion
∆L = change in length of the tube (Dial gauge reading)
Li = initial length of the metal rod
∆T = change in temperature of the tube (Final temperature minus the
Initial temperature of the rod)
10. Repeat the same procedure for the other metal rod. Make sure that the first rod used has
cooled down before replacing it and replace the water in the steam generator. Record the
readings in Table 2.2.
11. Make two trials for each metal rod and compare results.

Remarks: Check the connection of the silicon tubing to the metal rod to ensure that no hot
water can escape in an uncontrolled manner and cause damage or injury. Use set of
scratch papers or a small cloth to hold the metal rod and the steam generator upon
proceeding to the next trial.

V. DATA AND RESULTS

Table 2.1 Trial 1

BRASS: Theoretical value of the coefficient of linear expansion (per oC) = 2 x 10-5
Description Initial Reading Final Reading Difference in
Readings
Length of the Metal Rod, mm 640mm 640.82mm 0.82mm
Temperature of the Metal Rod, oC 24oC 40oC 16oC
Coefficient of Linear Expansion 8.0078 × 10-5Co-1

Table 2.2 Trial 2

BRASS: Theoretical value of the coefficient of linear expansion (per oC) = 2 x 10-5
Description Initial Reading Final Reading Difference in
Readings
Length of the Metal Rod, mm 640mm 640.79mm 0.79mm
Temperature of the Metal Rod, oC 24oC 51oC 27oC
Coefficient of Linear Expansion 4.5778 × 10-8Co-1

Table 2.3 Trial 1

STEEL: Theoretical value of the coefficient of linear expansion (per oC) = 1.2 x 10-5
Description Initial Reading Final Reading Difference in
Readings
Length of the Metal Rod, mm 640mm 640.5mm 0.5mm
Temperature of the Metal Rod, oC 24oC 38oC 8oC
Coefficient of Linear Expansion 1.3021 × 10-4Co-1

Table 2.4 Trial 1

STEEL: Theoretical value of the coefficient of linear expansion (per oC) = 1.2 x 10-5
Description Initial Reading Final Reading Difference in
Readings
Length of the Metal Rod, mm 640mm 640.7mm 0.7mm
o o o
Temperature of the Metal Rod, C 24 C 43 C 19oC
Coefficient of Linear Expansion 5.7566 × 10-5Co-1

Table 2.5 Comparison of Results

Coefficient of Linear Expansion Brass Steel
Average value 6.2898 × 10-5Co-1 7.7611 × 10-5Co-1
Percentage difference between the 214.49% 546.76%
average value and the theoretical value

VI. EVALUATION, QUESTIONS AND PROBLEMS

1. From the comparison of the results, what can you say about the difference of values you
have acquired for the coefficients of linear expansion after performing two trials?
From the table 2.5, the computed percentage error of both metal are significantly high
because of the initial and the final reading of temperature or the length of the metal that we
gathered are not high enough to have the small error. Thus having large number of difference
in readings, we may have a computed value of coefficient of linear expansion closed to the
value of theoretical.
2. Based on the result of the percentage error obtained, speculate on the possible sources of
error in your experiment?
Some of the main sources of error are the computation, the use of apparatus and
especially the temperature of the system. The room temperature has an effect on
conducting the experiment. It alters the final temperature of the steel and the brass. Based
on thermodynamics, if two systems are in thermal equilibrium there is no heat transfer,
but because of the room temperature heat from the steel is transferring from one system to
another. In order to get a low percentage error, the temperature of the brass and steel must
be higher.
3. If a steel bridge has a length of 4,200 feet and the temperature changes from 0oC to
+40oC, what will be its total expansion if the coefficient of linear expansion is 1.5 x 10-5
per oC? Show your computation in the space provided.
 Given: initial length=4,200 feet
Initial temperature= 0oC
Final temperature=40oC
Coefficient of linear expansion is 1.5 x 10-5 per oC
Required: Change in length= ____feet
Final length= _____ feet

Solution:
∆𝐿
𝛼=
𝐿𝑖 ∆𝑇
∆𝐿 = 𝛼𝐿𝑖 ∆𝑇

∆𝐿 = (1.5 x 10−5 per °C)(4,200 feet )(40°C)

∆𝐿 = 2.52 𝑓𝑒𝑡
𝐿𝑓 = 4202.52 𝑓𝑡

VII. CREDITS
Created by: Laboratory Committee
Version: 1.0
Modified on: October 2018

VIII. REFERENCES
1. Young, Hugh D. and Freedman, Roger A. (2010). Sear’s and Zemansky’s University
Physics 12th Edition. United States of America: Addison Wesley Longman, Inc
2. Giancoli, Douglas C. (2001). Physics 5th Edition. Pearson Education, Asia Pte Ltd.
IX. DOCUMENTS OF THE EXPERIMENTS