9. Thermal Expansion of Solids, Liquids, and Gases
Thermal expansion refers to the increase in size or volume of a substance as its temperature rises, affecting solids, liquids, and gases differently. Engineering applications must account for this phenomenon to maintain structural integrity and functionality across various technologies, particularly in construction and devices like thermometers. The coefficients of thermal expansion are crucial in describing the extent to which different materials expand under temperature changes.
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What we have learnt
- Thermal expansion involves the increase in size or volume of a substance when its temperature increases.
- Solids undergo linear expansion, while liquids expand volumetrically, and gases expand both in volume and pressure.
- The coefficients of thermal expansion vary by material and determine the extent of thermal expansion.
Key Concepts
- -- Thermal Expansion
- The increase in size or volume of a substance when its temperature increases.
- -- Linear Expansion
- The change in length of a solid when its temperature changes, expressed by the formula ΔL = αL0ΔT.
- -- Volumetric Expansion
- The change in volume of a liquid or gas when its temperature changes, represented by the formula ΔV = βV0ΔT.
- -- Charles' Law
- A gas law that states the volume of a gas is directly proportional to its temperature at constant pressure.
- -- Boyle's Law
- A gas law stating that the pressure of a gas is inversely proportional to its volume at constant temperature.
- -- Ideal Gas Law
- An equation that describes the state of an ideal gas, where PV=nRT.
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