E301: LINEAR EXPANSION
CADIZ, Pria Mae C.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this experiment is to calculate
and determine the coefficient of linear expansion
of two different metal tubes. The change in
length L due to thermal expansion is to be
measured together with the change in
temperature t which are both related and
needed to calculate for the linear expansion
coefficient or the fractional change in length per
degree of change in temperature. [3]
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Two metal tubes were provided to each group,
one was made of Copper and the other one was
made of Aluminum. In able to determine the
coefficient of linear expansion, first, the initial
length (mm) was measured using a meter
stick. It was measured from the inner edge of the
stainless steel pin to the inner edge of the angle
bracket at the other end of the tube. The tube
then was attached to the Expansion apparatus
and secured using the thumbscrew on one side of
the apparatus. The bracket was pressed against
the spring arm of the dial gauge, the one that
looks like a pressure meter/gauge. Using a
thumbscrew, the thermistor lug was attached to
the hole found in the middle of the aluminum
tube. [2]
Figure 1. Materials and Equipment
The digital multi tester was used to measure the
resistance of the thermistor by setting it to ohm
. Since we are in an air-conditioned room, we
got a higher resistance and recorded it as the
initial resistance . And determined the initial
temperature by looking at the Resistance-
Temperature Table found on the expansion base
and recorded it as the initial temperature . The
gauge was then manually set to zero. The leads
were then plugged into the banana plug
connectors found in the center of the expansion
base. The rubber tube was attached from the
steam generator to one end of the aluminum
tube.[2]
After setting up the equipment/apparatus, water
was poured to the steam generator, about full.
Turning it on, the water started to boil and the
steam flowed to the aluminum tube through the
rubber tube. As the steam kept flowing, heating
up the aluminum tube, the dial gauge started to
move, an indication that the aluminum tube
undergoes thermal expansion. The gauge
stopped and recorded it as the final length ( 1
rev = 1 mm ). The ohmmeter then start
decreasing and stopped at a value recorded as
the final resistance and obtained its
equivalent final temperature using the same
table on the expansion base. A condensed steam
is then observed to flow from the other side of
the copper tube. The same procedure was used
for the copper tube.[2]
OBSERVATIONS AND RESULTS
Sample Computations: Comparing the actual and
experimental result.
Linear expansion formula: =
Actual Values:
Linear expansion coefficient of Aluminum=
23.0106
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Linear expansion coefficient of Copper= Where is a constant called coefficient of linear
6 1 1
17.010 expansion that has a unit of or . We got

Trial 1 (Aluminum): 2.978510 for Aluminum and 2.246910 for the
5 5

= Copper giving percent errors of 25.15% and

= 83 28 33.74% which are quite big due to the
= 55 inconsistency and sensitivity of some apparatus.
The linear expansion coefficient of aluminum and
= 1.15 copper at room temperature (20 ) are, 24106
and 17106 but since were in an air-conditioned
1.15 5 room, the experimental results are a bit different
= = = 2.978510
(702)(55 ) from what is expected because the experiment
should be done in a room temperature
environment. Hence, it only proves that
temperature is a factor that affects the change in
% = | | 100 length and the linear expansion coefficient of an

23.8106 2.9785105 object. [1]
=| | 100
23.8106
% = 25.15%

Trial 2 (Copper):
= ACKNOWLEDGMENT & REFERENCE
= 82 27
= 55
= 0.87
0.87
First and for most, I would like to thank my
5
= = = 2.246910 Professor, Engr. Ricardo De Leon for giving us a
(704)(55 )
chance to conduct the experiment Linear
Expansion and for guiding and instructing us on

% = | | 100 what to do to avoid common errors during the

16.8106 2.2469105
experiment. To my group mates who shared their
=| | 100 knowledge and effort to make this experiment
16.8106
possible.
% = 33.74%

[1]
DISCUSSION & CONCLUSION
Fundamentals of Physics 10th Edition (David Halliday,
Thermal expansion occurs when there is a Robert Resnick, Jearl Walker).
change in length L of the object/material due to
the increase or decrease of its temperature. The [2]
group successfully conducted the experiment.
From the gathered data, we are able to get the
Physics 2 Laboratory Manual (Mapua Institute of
values required and compute for the coefficient of Technology)
linear expansion of two different metal tubes
using the formula, [3]
http://www.clemson.edu/ces/phoenix/labs/223/expans
=
ion/

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