Experiment 301

C. Summary
In Experiment 301, the length of the aluminum metal tube was
measured. The tube was then properly fitted on the expansion base. The
initial temperature of the tube (room temperature) was determined by
obtaining the resistance of the thermistor using a digital multi-tester. The
dial gauge was set to its initial reading. A little amount of water was heated
using the steam generator in order for linear expansion to take place. The
reading of the dial gauge was recorded at this instance. The resistance of
the tube during its hot phase was acquired through the digital multi-tester,
producing the respective temperature of the metal tube. The same
procedures also apply to the copper metal tube.
The main objective of the experiment is to compute for the coefficient
of linear expansion (). is the ratio of the change in length to the original
length for every degree change in temperature. By carrying out the
experiment, four different values were obtained. These are the initial length
(Lo), increase in length (L), which is obtained from converting the
measured divisions from the dial gauge to mm, initial temperature (t rm) and
the final temperature (thot). The change in temperature is denoted by t
which is calculated by subtracting the initial temperature to the final
temperature. By plugging the values of L, L o and t in the equation

L
Lo t

, the experimental value of the coefficient of linear expansion is

obtained.
Elaborating further, linear expansion is a type of thermal expansion.
Thermal expansion has three types: linear, area and volume. In the
experiment, the linear type is solely considered. By critical observations,
temperature and thermal expansion go along with each other. These two
are dependent quantities. Whenever temperature is increased, expansion
takes place similar to what occurred in the two metal tubes. As steam
was generated, they both produced an increase in length. It causes a
transformation in the dimensions of a certain material. This is the most
significant concept of Experiment 301.

D. Guide Questions
1. Having an incorrect reading of the resistance in the digital multi-tester
would produce a wrong value of the initial and final temperatures. Also,
acquiring inaccurate values for the increase in length through the use of the
dial gauge will produce erroneous results. In order to minimize these errors,
there must be keen observation in anything that happens through the
course of the experiment.
2. The result will not vary. The aluminum and copper metal tubes will still be
heated by the condensed water even if it is not drained. In this manner, the
resistance readings of the digital multi-tester will almost be the same.
3. Let x=aluminum and y=copper. Since, x=2(a) and y=3(a), the two metals
would have the following coefficients of linear expansion:
E. Analysis
1. Having an incorrect reading of the resistance in the digital multi-tester
would produce a wrong value of the initial and final temperatures. Also,
acquiring inaccurate values for the increase in length through the use of the
dial gauge will produce erroneous results. In order to minimize these errors,
there must be keen observation in anything that happens through the
course of the experiment.
2. The result will not vary. The aluminum and copper metal tubes will still be
heated by the condensed water even if it is not drained. In this manner, the
resistance readings of the digital multi-tester will almost be the same.
3. In performing the experiment, the temperature mainly affects the
increase in length of the material. As the temperature increases, the extent
at which the material expands is reached. They are directly proportional to
each other.

F. Conclusion
Assessing the results of the experiment, I therefore conclude that as
temperature rises, expansion is most likely to occur. Materials that are
subjected to changes in temperature will undergo changes in its
dimensions. Additionally, the amount of expansion of a material relies on
the value of its coefficient of linear expansion. The higher its coefficient of
linear expansion, the more it will expand.
Linear expansion is a type of thermal expansion. Thermal expansion
is mainly concerned about temperature and the changes in dimension of a
material. Looking at the bigger picture, thermal expansion is quantified in
Thermodynamics.
Being
a
Chemical
Engineering
student,
Thermodynamics is of great importance. Thermodynamics is centered in
studying heat and it is essential for the occurrence of various chemical
reactions. Heat is found in almost every part of Chemistry. It is a vital part
of what Chemical Engineering is all about.