Question
What is temperature coefficient of linear expansion? Find the length of a rod when it is heated through θ°C.
Solution
The temperature coefficient of linear expansion is defined as the ratio of the increase in length per unit original length per unit rise in temperature.
It is represented by
.
Let us consider a rod of length l0 at 0°C.
If we increase the temperature of rod by θ°C, the rod will expand.
The increase in the length of rod is,
(i) proportional to the original length
(ii) proportional to rise in temperature,
i.e.,
The length of rod at temperature
is
It is represented by
. Let us consider a rod of length l0 at 0°C.
If we increase the temperature of rod by θ°C, the rod will expand.
The increase in the length of rod is,
(i) proportional to the original length
(ii) proportional to rise in temperature,
i.e.,
The length of rod at temperature
is 
