COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
MECHANICAL DEPARTMENT
MECHANICS of MATERIALS
PREPARED BY
Muhammed Radha Baker
Mustafa Ahmed Muhaisen
SUPERVISRED BY
Dr. Ali Hussien Hassan
Eng. Eman Mohammed
Abstract
This report is mainly about the investigation of a phenomenon; expansion of things
when heated which is called thermal expansion, and the focus of this report is
determining the coefficient of linear expansion. The experiment helped by observing
the changes made in the linear dimensions of the given metals inside the apparatus
when they absorbed heat from the electric steam generator. Data were gathered by
directly measuring the temperature with the use of a thermometer and also the
dimensions of the metals with the use of the apparatus and a meter stick with calliper
jaws. Results which are obtained from the experiment were expected to verify the
phenomenon and to find the coefficient of linear expansion by the use of the
relationship of length and temperature.
I. INTRODUCTION
Basically, most things expand when heated [1]. This phenomenon is called thermal
expansion in which in which any state of matter would respond to heat by expanding
itself, therefore the higher the temperature, the bigger the expansion. Heat is a transfer
of energy. This energy when absorbed by objects tends to be expressed or manifested
as an increase in temperature [2]. The changes you see- either in length, area or
volume corresponding to the temperature change is called the coefficient of linear
expansion. In this report we’re only dealing with the expansion of solids particularly
metals because they greatly respond to heat. When a substance is heated, its
constituent particles begin moving more, thus maintaining a greater average
separation with their neighbouring particles [3]. Linear coefficient of expansion is
determined by the minimal change of length per degree change of temperature [4].
These coefficients are constants which are used by engineers to take safety
precautions when building constructions with metals in order to be aware of the
metal’s expansion or its contraction [5].
II. THEORETICAL BACKGROUND
A. Coefficient of Linear Expansion
Coefficient of linear expansion as defined earlier is the minimal change of length
per degree change of temperature. If we take 𝐿0 as the length at 0oC, 𝐿1 the length
at temperature 𝑇1, 𝐿2, the length at temperature 𝑇2; and α, the coefficient of linear
expansion, it can be expressed in this form:
Mostly in experiments, 𝐿0 and 𝐿1 does not greatly differ with each other; therefore,
if we substitute 𝐿1 to 𝐿0 in the denominator of the equation 1, the new equation
would be
The coefficient of linear expansion depends only on the temperature unit and not
on the unit of length used. The unit used for temperature is in terms of per Celsius
degree or per Fahrenheit degree. By letting 𝐿2 - 𝐿1 be ΔL, the change in length of
the metal rod and 𝑇2 - 𝑇1 be ΔT, then the value of α may be expressed in:
III. METHODOLOGY
A. Materials
1. Lever form expansion apparatus
2. Metal rod, Electric steam generator
3. Rubber tubing
4. Thermometer (1 ~ 100oC),
5. Meter stick with caliper jaws [6]
B. Procedures
Initially, electric steam generator was filled half full of water. The water was
heated by plugging the electric steam generator to a socket. While waiting for the
water to be boiled, the kind of material of the rod was recorded and hose steam
jacket was not connected yet. With the use of the meter stick, the measurement of
the length of the rod was recorded as L1.
Next, the thermometer was inserted carefully into the stopper and also the central
opening was adjusted until the thermometer could barely touch the rod. The jacket
was connected to the faucet and water flowed to inlet I onto the outlet O up to the
sink (see Figure 1). The thermometer was read and the adjusted temperature from
the flow of water was recorded– that will serve as temperature T1.
The final temperature (𝑇2), and the reading of the pointer on the scale was recorded
after the temperature has reached equilibrium conditions. (The expansion has been
magnified on the scale by a factor equal to the lever- arm ratio). Lastly, the electric
steam generator was turned off and the thermometer was removed. Cold water was
poured into the opening of the tube to regain the room temperature. The steps were
repeated for performing trial 2 on the second material of the metal and the
observations were recorded. From the readings obtained, the coefficient of linear
expansion was determined using equation 3 [7].
IV. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
The rod position was adjusted until the short lever touched the end of the rod while
the equipment was cold and the screw S was also adjusted at the other end until the
pointer on the long lever arm reached the 0mm on the scale.
The steam jacket was connected to the inlet and the apparatus was arranged
item Length(mm) 𝜹L(mm) Temp1 Temp2
Ni 510 2 25℃ 100℃
Al 510 1 28℃ 100℃
Fe 510 0.5 39℃ 97℃
V. CONCLUSION
Data gathered reveals that anything that is heated expands. From the values obtained
from the experiment reveals that the coefficient of linear expansion is just a fractional
change of length per degree Celsius. This coefficient is independent of its length but
is dependent on the temperature. Therefore, coefficient of linear expansion mainly
relies on the temperature changes from its surrounding
