MAPUA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

Department of Physics
E301: LINEAR EXPANSION

BUNDALIAN, Patrick John Edbert G.

patrickbundalian@gmail.com/2010140216/CPE-3
PHY12L-A1 Group 3

SCORE
Computation (10)

Data Sheet (5)

Results and Discussion (25)

Conclusions (25)

Error Analysis (10)

Presentation (10)

Graphs/Figures/Tables (15)

July 27, 2015

TOTAL x 0.7

PERFORMANCE

E301: LINEAR EXPANSION

BUNDALIAN, Patrick John Edbert G.

OBJECTIVE
The experiment was carried out with the
intention to determine and compare the
coefficient of linear expansion of the
aluminum and copper tubes and to
determine the factors affecting the change
in length in the thermal expansion
phenomena.
The study was conducted as the water
inside the steam generator was heated up
to the boiling point. The steam produced
travelled from the steam generator to the
metal tube thru a rubber tubing which
connected the generator onto one end of
the metal tubes. Changes in length,
changes in temperature, and resistance
were all considered to arrive with a value
for the coefficient of linear expansion of the
two metal rods.
The temperature of the environment (in
this case the laboratory) directly affected
the actual value of the coefficient of linear
expansion.

Fig1. (a) Aluminum tube, (b) copper tube, (c)

digital multi tester, (d) expansion base with
thermistor, and (e) steam generator.

into the slot of the mounting block pressing

against the spring arm of the dial gauge.
We then attached the thermistor lug onto
the middle of the tube locked by a thumb
screw. Maximum contact between the lug
and the tube was achieved.
The leads of the ohometer were inserted
into the plug connector of the tube where
we obtained the resistance of the
thermistor at room temperature and the
initial temperature of the metal tube was
recorded. (Please see figure 2)

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The following materials were used to carry
out the process in obtaining a value for the
coefficient of linear expansion of the
aluminum tube and the copper tube
respectively. (Please see figure 1)
For the first part of the experiment, we
measured the initial length of the metal
tube from its inner edge up to the inner
edge of the angle bracket of the expansion
base.
Consequently, we mounted the metal tube
onto the expansion base we made sure
that the pin on the edge of the tube fitted

Fig2. Obtaining the initial temperature of the

aluminum tube.

We then turned the outer casing of the dial

guage to align the zero point on the scale
with the indicator needle. (Please see
figure 3)

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Fig3. Dial gauge aligned to zero.

After setting up the steam generator (and

after heating the water up to the boiling
point) we then attached the rubber tube
onto the end of the steam generator and
onto one end of the metal rod. (Please see
figure 4)

Fig4. Steam from the generator flowed into the

rubber tube and was then introduced into the
metal tube.

As the steam began to flow, we observed

the movement of the dial gauge and
noticed
that
the
hand
moved
counterclockwise.
As
soon
as
the
thermistor
resistance
stabilized,
we
recorded the resistance. The expansion of
the tube length (L) as indicated by the
displacement of the indicator on the dial
gauge. (Please see figure 5)
Obtaining the data required to arrive with
a feasible value for the experimental
coefficient of linear expansion, we
proceeded with the math and came up with
acceptable result which varied (greatly) in
contrast to the theoretical value due to the
room temperature of the laboratory.

Fig5. Observing and noting the changes reflected

on the dial ensued by the flowing steam.

OBSERVATIONS AND RESULTS

Due to the cool temperature of the setting,
the experimental value of the results did
not bode well with the supposed results we
should have obtained seeing the percent
error.
Acquiring the final resistance became a
minor struggle because of the inability of
the digital multi tester to present an
accurate and precise value to obtain it,
we simply averaged the final five values
presented to us in its slowest succession
eliminating the possibility of obtaining a
potentially higher percentage of error.
The table below shows the variation of
properties concerning the linear expansion
of the aluminum tube and the copper tube.
The table also exhibits the calculated
percentage of error of the experimental
value as opposed to the actual value of the
coefficient of linear expansion.

Trial/Type of Tube

Aluminum
Tube

Copper
Tube

Initial Length of the

Tube, Lo

703mm

704mm

Initial Resistance of
Thermistor at Room
Temperature, Rrm

94.3k

92.2k

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Initial Temperature,
trm

26oC

27oC

Change in Length of
Tube, L

1.18mm

0.875mm

Resistance
of
Thermistor at Final
Temperature, Rhot

11.41k

10.17k

Final Temperature of
the Tube, thot

79oC

82oC

Change
in
Temperature of the
Tube, (thot-trm)

53oC

55oC

Experimental
Coefficient of Linear
Expansion,
experimental

3.16702E05/oC

2.25981E05/oC

Actual Coefficient of
Linear
Expansion,
actuall

2.38E-05/oC

1.68E05/oC

Percentage of Error

33.068069%

34.51274%

materials who and which helped me

accomplish this work with only few notable
encountered difficulties and typing the
entirety of this work being the first. I wont
be a hypocrite not to acknowledge my
groupmates small talks on how theyll do
their paper (gave me an idea on how Ill do
mine), Maam Novidas lecture especially
the part where she talked about how
gasoline will spill in a steel barrell if thermal
expansion is not observed, Sir De Leons
meticulous introduction and instructions,
and the unubuiquitous feeling of guidance
from above you just know youre favored.
Here the links of my trusted pages:
[1]http://www.asminternational.org/docu
ments/asmreadyreference/
[2]http://www.aplusphysics.com/courses/
honors/thermo/expansion.html
[3]http://www.owlnet.rice.edu/~msci301/
ThermalExpansion.pdf

DISCUSSION & CONCLUSION

When a material is exposed to different
temperature change, it is subjected to
either expand or contract. Changes in its
dimensions can at times be noticed most
especially if the objects coefficient of linear
expansion (in this case coined as
volumetric
temperature
expansion
coefficient) is exceptionally high (eg.
Gasoline). However, since most of the time
people only observe objects which has less
coefficient of linear expansion (eg. Frying
pan), seeing changes ensued by the
surroundings temperature with the naked
eye is nearly as impossible as hearing a
disturbed spider squirming with your own
ears.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT & REFERENCE
This paper is not fully my brainchild. So I
give full credence to the people and written

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