Guide Questions

1.) In the performance of the experiment, cite the possible sources of error
and its effect in the computed values. What are the recommendations
then to minimize such error?

The tubes and the metal rods used in our experiment are already
used by the morning class therefore leaving it undrained of water
hence, it affects our data and the expansion of the metal rod
considering water expands faster than solid. The instability of the
multimeter and the dial gauge causes inaccurate values. The
conversion of values and miscalculations of the data from the
experiment could also lead to possible source of error.

To minimize such errors, we should patiently follow the rules and

instructions throughout the experiment and carefully solve for the
values required.

2.) Would the result be different if the condensed water was not drained
from the expansion tube? Why?

Yes, the result would be different because the condensed water

inside the tube would initially absorb the heat coming from the steam
generator, hence lessening the steam generators heat that is
produced for the linear expansion of the metal rods.

3.) From the result of the experiment, compute for the coefficient of
expansion for area and volume of the metals
Coefficient of expansion for area (A=2a)
Aaluminum = 2 (3.081 x 10-5 ) Acopper = 2 (2.16 x
10-5)
Aaluminum = 6.162 x 10-5 Acopper = 4.32 x 10-5
Coefficient of expansion for volume ( V=3a)
Valuminum = 3 (3.081 x 10-5) Vcopper = 3 (2.16 x
10-5)
Valuminum = 9.243 x 10-5 Vcopper = 6.48 x 10-5
Guide Questions
1.) In the performance of the experiment, cite the possible sources of error
and its effect in the computed values. What are the recommendations
then to minimize such error?

The tubes and the metal rods used in our experiment are already
used by the morning class therefore leaving it undrained of water
hence, it affects our data and the expansion of the metal rod
considering water expands faster than solid. The instability of the
multimeter and the dial gauge causes inaccurate values. The
conversion of values and miscalculations of the data from the
experiment could also lead to possible source of error.

To minimize such errors, we should patiently follow the rules and

instructions throughout the experiment and carefully solve for the
values required.

2.) Would the result be different if the condensed water was not drained
from the expansion tube? Why?

Yes, the result would be different because the condensed water

inside the tube would initially absorb the heat coming from the steam
generator, hence lessening the steam generators heat that is
produced for the linear expansion of the metal rods.

3.) From the result of the experiment, compute for the coefficient of
expansion for area and volume of the metals
Coefficient of expansion for area (A=2a)
Aaluminum = 2 (2.38 x 10-5 ) Acopper = 2
(1.68 x 10-5)
Aaluminum = 4.76 x 10-5 Acopper = 3.36 x 10-5
Coefficient of expansion for volume ( V=3a)
Valuminum = 3 (2.38 x 10-5) Vcopper = 3
(1.68 x 10-5)
Valuminum = 7.14 x 10-5 Vcopper = 5.04 x 10-5

Conclusion

The objectives of this experiment is (1) to determine the coefficient of

linear expansion of the metal rods (particularly the copper and aluminum
tube) and (2) to determine the factors affecting the change in length in
thermal expansion.
After performing the experiment, we are able to calculate the
coefficient of linear expansion of the metal rods by using its initial and
final length, and the change in temperature. The coefficient of linear
expansion of the Copper tube is 2.16 x 10^-5 which is much smaller than
the Aluminum tube with 3.08 x 10^-5 hence, these values proves that
objects with greater coefficient of linear expansion would likely have a
bigger change of length.
The factors affecting the change in length in thermal expansion are
also determined after the completion of the experiment. It mainly
comprises of 3 factors: coefficient of linear expansion, initial length of the
object and the temperature change. The values gathered proves the
direct proportionality of these factors thus inferring us that an increase in
any of these factors would cause an increase in the change in length.
Analysis

This experiment entitled Linear Expansion mainly discuss the

significance of change in particular dimensions of an object. One
dimensional change is defined to be Linear Expansion. Change in the
dimension of the body is a function of the temperature. And the amount
of expansion depends on the initial state and dimension of the body. From
the stated general principles, linear expansion is achieved through
acknowledging the proportionality of the key factors which are the:
coefficient of linear expansion, initial length of an object and the
temperature change.
In this experiment, the primary objective is to identify the coefficient of
linear expansion of a metal rod. Various calculations specifically on the
change in length and the temperature change are made to provide the
basic necessity in calculating the coefficient of linear expansion. As we
know, the coefficient of linear expansion is the inverse relationship of
change in length with initial length and temperature change.

Percentage errors of 29.45% (for aluminum tube) and 28.66% (for

copper tube) indicates that the values calculated on our data are not
precise and inaccurate. The possible sources of errors includes the tubes
and the metal rods used in our experiment, as they are already used by
the morning class therefore leaving it undrained of water hence, it affects
our data and the expansion of the metal rod considering water expands
faster than solid. Also the instability of the multimeter and the dial gauge
causes inaccurate values. Lastly, conversion of values and miscalculations
of the data from the experiment could also lead to possible source of
error.