Thermal expansion: Suppose that a steel bridge, 1000 m long, was built without any expansion joints and that only one end of the bridge was held fixed. What would the difference in the length of the bridge be between winter and summer, taking a typical winter temperature as 0.00°C, and a typical summer temperature as 40°C? The coefficient of thermal expansion of steel is 10.5 × 10^-6 K^-1.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The change in length due to thermal expansion is calculated using the formula ΔL = αLΔT. Here, α = 10.5 × 10^-6 K^-1, L = 1000 m, and ΔT = 40°C - 0°C = 40°C. Substituting these values gives ΔL = 10.5 × 10^-6 × 1000 × 40 = 0.42 m.

Thermal Expansion: Suppose That a Steel Bridge, 1000 M Long