Coefficient of Linear Expansion

What is Linear Expansion?

Linear expansion is the phenomenon of an increase in the length of a specimen or substance due to the same material’s increase in temperature.

What is the Coefficient of Linear Expansion?

The coefficient of linear expansion measures how much a material expands per unit length when heated.

What is Symbol for the coefficient of linear expansion?

The symbol for the coefficient of linear expansion is α.

How is Coefficient of Linear Expansion Calculated?

It is calculated using the formula ΔL = αLΔT, where ΔL is the change in length, α is the coefficient of linear expansion, L is the original length, and ΔT is the change in temperature.

What is SI Unit of Coefficient of Linear Expansion?

The SI unit is Kelvin inverse ( K^-1), representing the change in length per degree Celsius.

What is Coefficient of linear expansion of steel?

The coefficient of linear expansion of steel is approximately 11 × 10^-6 K^-1.

Coefficient of linear expansion depends on what factors?

Coefficients of linear expansion depend on factors like material composition, temperature, and crystal structure.

Why is Coefficient of Linear Expansion Important?

It helps predict how materials will respond to temperature changes, and is crucial for engineering and construction.

Do Different Materials Have Different Coefficients?

Yes, each material has its own unique coefficient of linear expansion based on its molecular structure.

Is Coefficient of Linear Expansion Only Relevant to Solids?

No, it applies to solids, liquids, and gases, but the magnitude varies between them.

Coefficient of linear expansion is a constant that measures the change in a material’s length due to the temperature change. It is denoted by α. Every material has a unique coefficient of linear expansion. The unit of coefficient of linear expansion is K^-1.

In this article, we are going to learn about the Coefficient of Linear Expansion in detail, including its formula, applications, and a few solved examples based on it.