Modern railway tracks consist of continuous welded-steel rails of 1.0-km lengths. If the coefficient of linear expansion of steel is 11 × 10^-⁶ K^-¹, by how much would such a rail change in length between the highest summer temperature 40^oC) and the lowest winter temperature -40^oC)?

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Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The change in length can be calculated using the formula: ΔL = L₀αΔT, where L₀ is the original length (1.0 km = 1000 m), α is the coefficient of linear expansion (11 × 10⁻⁶ K⁻¹), and ΔT is the change in temperature (80°C). ΔL = 1000 m × 11 × 10⁻⁶ K⁻¹ × 80 K = 0.88 m = 88 cm.

Modern Railway Tracks Consist of Continuous Welded-Steel Rails of 1