Thermal Expansion and Contraction

Front

What is Thermal Contraction?

Back

A decrease in a material's volume when its temperature decreases.

Front

What happens to the air inside a balloon when it heats up?

Back

The air expands, causing the balloon to rise.

Front

If the atoms of an object are moving or vibrating fast, what can we infer about its temperature?

Back

The temperature would be hot.

Front

Why does the liquid in a thermometer rise when placed in hot water?

Back

It gains heat from the hot water and expands.

Front

What is Thermal Expansion?

Back

An increase in a material's volume when temperature increases.

Front

What is the relationship between temperature and the movement of atoms in a substance?

Back

As temperature increases, the movement of atoms increases.

Front

How does thermal expansion affect bridges and roads?

Back

Materials expand in heat, which can cause buckling or warping if not designed to accommodate expansion.

Front

What is the formula for linear expansion?

Back

ΔL = αL₀ΔT, where ΔL is the change in length, α is the coefficient of linear expansion, L₀ is the original length, and ΔT is the change in temperature.

Front

What is the coefficient of thermal expansion?

Back

A measure of how much a material expands per degree of temperature increase.

Front

How does thermal expansion differ in solids, liquids, and gases?

Back

Solids expand less than liquids, and liquids expand less than gases for the same temperature change.