Analysis

The materials used in the experiment are the following: two metal tubes (1)
aluminium and (2) copper, meter stick, digital multi-tester, expansion base
set with micro-meter gauge and thermistor, lastly, the steam generator with
rubber tubing.

The set-up of the experiment

During the experiment, unavoidable errors or discrepancies are experienced,

like varying room temperatures affecting the reading of the thermal resistor
giving us inaccurate results. Another problem that we encountered is the
steam generator. The laboratory assistants does not perform the necessary
maintenance required for the device. The water has a foul odor especially
the rag provided.

At first, we measured the initial length of the two tubes at room temperature.
The two tubes are aluminium and copper with. After measuring, we found out
that they have the same length. After
measuring

the

initial

length

of

the

aluminium and copper tubes, we started to

perform the experiment. We powered the
steam generator to produce heat in the form of steam. The steam will come
out of a rubber tube inserted at the lid and connected to the tube. This will
generate heat, red by the thermistor which

The table provided to convert resistance

into Celsius

is probed by the digital multi-meter and there is a table provided for us to

convert the resistance reading of the meter into degrees Celsius.
After a few minutes, the tubes are expanding due to the heat applied. We
can see the expansion because the dial gauge is starting to turn. The tubes
expanded by a negligible amount which is expected. The results are
tabulated as follows.

Trial 1. Aluminium Tube

Trial 2. Copper Tube

700mm

700mm

93.8Kohms

96.5Kohms

Initial Temperature

26.381C

25.79C

Change in Length

1.18mm

0.82mm

Final Temperature

79.91C

82.61

Initial Length of Tube

Initial Resistance

The results obtained in performing the experiment agrees to the theory of

thermal expansion which states that the tendency of matter to change in
dimensions in response to a change in temperature, through heat transfer .
Which is given by the equation, L = Lo(alpha)T which means that the change in

length of an object is a factor of the linear coefficient of expansion which is

alpha, the initial length and the change in temperature.

Conclusion
In physics, thermal expansion is the tendency of matter to increase
in volume or pressure when heated. As a result of the experiment, we found
out that different objects have their own characteristics like their coefficient
of linear expansion which is responsible for the rate of expansion of an object
when there is a change in temperature. Therefore we can conclude that the
coefficient of linear expansion is directly proportional to the change in length.
Based on the results achieved, aluminium has greater change in length than
that of the copper. So therefore, we can conclude that an object with greater
coefficient of linear expansion will most probably have the greater change in
length. As said in the previous statement, the coefficient of linear expansion
is directly proportional to change of length of a material.
There are three factors that mainly affect the change in length of a material
in thermal expansion. These are (1) the coefficient of linear expansion, (2)
initial length of the body and (3) the change in the temperature. All these
three factors are directly proportional to the change in length of the
material. If these three factors increase, the change in length will also
increase.

And also, some factors may lead in causing error in the

experiment.
In this experiment, we found out that this lesson in physics has a great
application on the things that surrounds us like roads, railways, buildings and
etc. The expansion of an object must be taken into account when
constructing such. Because if there is no allowance for expansion, the

constructed object may undergo severe stress because there is no room for
expansion especially when it is a summer day.