Mathematics and Physical Sciences Department

College Physics 2 Laboratory

Experiment No. 1
Experiment Title Coefficient of Linear Expansion

I. OBJECTIVES
1. To measure the linear thermal expansion of some metal alloys
2. To determine the linear expansion coefficients of some metal alloys

II. MATERIALS
Quantity Item
1 Longitudinal expansion apparatus
1 Dial gauge, 10 mm.
1 Holder for Dial Gauge
1 Thermometer
1 Steam Generator
2 Silicon Tubing
1 Petri dish
1 Meter stick

III. SET-UP/DIAGRAMS/ILLUSTRATIONS

Silicon Tubing
Steam Generator
Dial Gauge
Screw to calibrate the Dial Gauge

Linear Expansion Apparatus

Silicon Tubing
Thermometer
Petri Dish

IV. PROCEDURE
1. Fill the steam generator with a half-full of water.
2. Measure the length of the rod, Li and record your data in the given table.
3. Connect the expansion apparatus to the steam generator using the silicon tubing, that is, connect the open end of the brass
(or steel) rod and the hose nipple to the hose nipple of the steam generator.
4. Calibrate the dial gauge to zero by rotating the screw (see illustration above) connected to the tube. Be sure not to make it
too tight so the rod will have a space for expansion.
5. Measure the initial temperature, Ti, of the metal rod by placing the thermometer on top of the rod, middle part, and record
your data in the table. Do not place the thermometer near the dial gauge to avoid pushing the needle of the dial gauge.
6. Switch on the steam generator and consistently hold the thermometer until the needle of the dial gauge stops moving, that
is when the rod reaches its final expansion.
7. Record the temperature reading, Tf, and the reading in the dial gauge as the difference in length, ΔL, of the metal rod in
Table1. Do not forget that the unit of the dial gauge per line reading is 0.01 mm. This is the expansion of the metal rod.
8. Calculate for the coefficient of linear expansion using the formula below.

L
 
Li T

Where: ∝ = coefficient of linear expansion

ΔL = change in length of the tube (Dial gauge reading)
Li = initial length of the metal rod
ΔT = change in temperature of the tube (Final temperature minus the initial temperature of the rod)
10. Repeat the same procedure for the other metal rod. Make sure that the first rod used has cooled down before replacing it
and replace the water in the steam generator. Record the readings in Table2.
11. Make two trials for each metal rod and compare the results.

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V. SAFETY NOTES
1. Check the connection of the silicon tubing to the metal rod to ensure that no hot water can escape in an uncontrolled
manner and cause damage or injury.
2. Use set of scratch papers or a small cloth to hold the metal rod and the steam generator upon proceeding to the next trial.

VI. DATA AND RESULTS

A. BRASS : Theoretical value of the coefficient of linear expansion (per °C) = 2 x 10 -5

Table 1: Trial 1
Description Initial Reading Final Reading Difference in Readings
Length of the Metal Rod, mm 650mm 650.77mm 0.77mm
Temperature of the Metal Rod. °C 24°C 40°C 16°C
Coefficient of Linear Expansion 7.40x10 -5 per °C

Table 2: Trial 2
Description Initial Reading Final Reading Difference in Readings
Length of the Metal Rod, mm 650mm 650.79mm 0.79mm
Temperature of the Metal Rod. °C 24°C 46°C 22°C
-5
Coefficient of Linear Expansion 5.52x10 per °C

B. STEEL: Theoretical value of the coefficient of linear expansion (per °C) = 1.2 x 10 -5

Table 3: Trial 1
Description Initial Reading Final Reading Difference in Readings
Length of the Metal Rod, mm 640mm 640.53mm 0.53mm
Temperature of the Metal Rod. °C 23°C 49°C 26°C
Coefficient of Linear Expansion 3.19x10 -5 per °C

Table 4: Trial 2
Description Initial Reading Final Reading Difference in Readings
Length of the Metal Rod, mm 640 mm 640.32 mm 0.32mm
Temperature of the Metal Rod. °C 23°C 42°C 19°C
-5
Coefficient of Linear Expansion 3.63x10 per °C

C. COMPARISON OF RESULTS
Table 5
Coefficient of linear expansion Brass Steel
Average value 6.46x10 -5 per °C 3.41x10 -5 per °C
Percentage difference between the average value
105.43% 95.87%
and the theoretical value

VII. SUGGESTED EVALUATION QUESTIONS AND PROBLEMS

1. From the comparison of the results, what can you say about the difference of values you have acquired for the coefficients
of linear expansion after performing two trials?
2. Based on the result of the percentage error obtained, speculate on the possible sources of error in your experiment?
3. If a steel bridge has a length of 4,200 feet and the temperature changes from 0°C to +40°C, what will be its total
expansion if the coefficient of linear expansion is 1.5 x 10 -5 per °C? Show your computation in the space provided.

VIII. CREDITS
Created by: Laboratory Committee
Version: 1
Modified on: January 2018

IX. REFERENCES
Young, Hugh D. and Freedman, Roger A. (2010). Sear’s and Zemansky’s University Physics 12th Edition. United States of
America: Addison Wesley Longman, Inc.

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ANSWERS TO GUIDE QUESTION:

1.) The coefficient of thermal expansion explains how the length of an object changes in heat or any or temperature. In
the First Trial in conducting an experiment on a brass, the coefficient of Linear Expansion is 7.40x10 -5 per °C while
on the Second Trial is 5.52x10 -5 per °C. Then the coefficient of the steel were 3.19x10 -5 per °C (Trial I) and
3.63x10 -5 per °C (Trial II)

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