Results
Original Length
100 mm
Change in Length
0.185 mm
Final Length
100.185 mm
Formula Breakdown
Formula: ΔL = α × L₀ × ΔT
Where:
- α = 23.1 × 10⁻⁶/°C (Aluminum)
- L₀ = 100 mm
- ΔT = (100 - 20) = 80°C
Calculation:
ΔL = 23.1 × 10⁻⁶/°C × 100 mm × 80°C = 0.185 mm
L₁ = L₀ + ΔL = 100 mm + 0.185 mm = 100.185 mm
Visual Representation
Original
After Expansion
Length vs Temperature Graph
Interactive Guide
1
Select a material from the panel or enter a custom coefficient of thermal expansion
2
Enter the initial length of your material
3
Set the initial and final temperatures
4
Click "Calculate" to see results or use the temperature slider to visualize expansion in real-time
About Thermal Expansion
Thermal expansion is the tendency of matter to change its dimensions in response to a change in temperature. When a substance is heated, its particles move more and it expands. When a substance is cooled, its particles move less and it contracts.
The amount of expansion can be calculated using the coefficient of linear thermal expansion (α), which is a material property that describes how the size of an object changes with temperature.