Thermodynamics & Heat
Intermediate
Linear Thermal Expansion
Length change of a solid when heated.
Formula
Variables
\alphaExpansion coefficient
L_0Original length
\Delta TTemp change
Example
A 10 m steel rail (α≈12×10⁻⁶) warmed 30 °C grows about 3.6 mm.
Did You Know?
Bridges have expansion joints because steel grows measurably longer on a hot day.