thermal expansion calculator

enter the value and click "calculate", the calculation result will be displayed.

L= α × L1 ( T2 - T1 )
l = linear expansion
L1 = initial length
α = linear expansion coefficient of material
T1 = initial temperature
T2 = final temperature

enter a value:

initial length:
m
initial temperature:
°C
final temperature:
°C
linear expansion coefficient of material:
10-6°C-1

calculation result:

linear expansion:
10-6m
thermal expansion calculator

solids, liquids and gases undergo size changes and temperature changes while the pressure remains constant.

during heat transfer, it is the change in energy stored in the interatomic bonds between molecules. as the stored energy increases, the bond lengths of the molecules also increase. therefore, solids typically expand as they are heated and contract as they cool. this response to changes in air temperature is expressed as its coefficient of thermal expansion.

the coefficient of thermal expansion is a thermodynamic property of matter. it involves linear dimensional changes in materials due to changes in temperature. it is the rate of change in length per degree of temperature change.

most solids expand when heated. the reason is that this gives the atoms more space to bounce around using a lot of kinetic energy at high temperatures. the effect of thermal expansion is relatively small and approximately linear at absolute temperature.

most materials undergo thermal expansion: they expand when heated and contract when cooled. therefore, bridge expansion joints are made of metal, so they can expand and contract, causing structural damage to the overall structure of the bridge. other machines and structures also have built-in protection against the dangers of thermal expansion. but thermal expansion also has benefits, making thermometers and thermostats work properly.
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