The coefficient of thermal expansion of water at 20°C is 0.207 × 10^-3K^-1. A thin glass tube contains a 75.0 cm column of water at 20°C. If the thermal expansion of the glass tube is negligible, by how much does the length of the column of water expand when it is heated to 80°C?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Using the formula for thermal expansion, ΔL = LαΔT, where ΔL is the change in length, L is the original length, α is the coefficient of thermal expansion, and ΔT is the change in temperature:
ΔL = (75.0 cm)(0.207 × 10^-3 K^-1)(60 K) = 0.93 cm = 9.3 mm
Therefore, the length of the column of water expands by 9.3 mm when heated from 20°C to 80°C.

The Coefficient of Thermal Expansion of Water at 20°C Is