Skip to main content

Thermal Expansion of Solids

 

Linear Thermal Expansion of Solid Formula

Δl=αlliΔT     (Linear Thermal Expansion of Solids)

αl=ΔlliΔT

li=ΔlαlΔT

ΔT=Δlαlli

Symbol English Metric
Δl = length differential in mm
αl   (Greek symbol alpha) = linear thermal expansion coefficient in/inF mm/mmC
li = initial length in mm
ΔT = temperature differential F C

thermal expansion solid 1 Thermal expansion of solids refers to the change in dimensions (length, area, or volume) of a solid material in response to a change in temperature.  When a solid is heated, its constituent particles gain kinetic energy and vibrate more vigorously, resulting in an increase in average separation between particles.  This increase in particle spacing leads to the expansion of the solid material.

The extent of expansion depends on the material's coefficient of linear expansion, which quantifies the change in length per unit length per degree change in temperature.  The linear expansion coefficient varies for different materials and is typically positive, indicating that most solids expand when heated.  The linear expansion coefficient can be used to calculate the change in dimensions for other geometrical shapes, such as the change in area or volume.

It's important to note that not all materials expand uniformly in all directions.  Anisotropic materials have different expansion coefficients in different directions, leading to non-uniform expansion or contraction.  Thermal expansion is a critical consideration in various applications, including construction, engineering, and manufacturing.  Understanding the thermal expansion behavior of materials is crucial to design structures, components, and systems that can accommodate the dimensional changes associated with temperature variations and prevent unwanted stresses or deformations.

Aerial or Superficial Thermal Expansion of Solid Formula

ΔA=2αlAiΔT     (Aerial or Superficial Thermal Expansion of Solid)

αl=ΔA2AiΔT

Ai=ΔA2αlΔT

ΔT=ΔA2αlAi

Symbol English Metric
ΔA = area differential in2 mm2
αl   (Greek symbol alpha) = linear thermal expansion coefficient in/inF mm/mmC
Ai = initial area of object in2 mm2
ΔT = temperature differential F C

Piping Designer Logo 1 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Volumetric or Cubical Thermal Expansion of Solid Formula

ΔV=3αlViΔT     (Volumetric or Cubical Thermal Expansion of Solid)

αl=ΔV3ViΔT

Vi=ΔV3αlΔT

ΔT=ΔV3αlVi

Symbol English Metric
ΔV = volume differential in3 mm3
αl   (Greek symbol alpha) = linear thermal expansion coefficient in/inF mm/mmC
Vi = initial volume of object in3 mm3
ΔT = temperature differential F C