You are on page 1of 6

MAPUA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

Department of Physics
E301: LINEAR EXPANSION
GONZALES, Gabriel R.

Gabriel200841@gmail.com/2014151884/CE-2
PHY12L-B2 Group 4

SCORE
Signed Data Sheet
(5)

Observations & Results


(15)

Graphs
(10)

Conclusion (15)

References
(5)

Photos (10)

Performance
(40)

TOTAL
(100)

MAY 3, 2016

____
____
____
____
____
____

____
____

E301: LINEAR EXPANSION


1

Gonzales, Gabriel R.
School of CEGE, Mapa Institute of Technology

658 Muralla St., Intramuros, Manila City, Philippines


gabriel200841@gmail.com

OBSERVATIONS AND RESULTS


After gathering enough data such as the initial length of the tube, initial resistance of the thermistor
at room temperature, initial temperature, final temperature and the change in length of the tube,
the experimental coefficient of linear expansion was calculated using the equation (1):

(1)


The results gathered from the experiment are given in the table below:

Table 1: Determination of Coefficient of Linear Expansion


Trial/Type of Tube
Initial Length of Tube,
Initial Resistance of thermistor at
Room Temperature,
Initial Temperature,
Change in Length of Tube,
Resistance of Thermistor at Final
Temperature,
Final Temperature of the Tube,
Change in temperature of the Tube,
Experimental Coefficient of Linear
expansion,
Actual Coefficient of Linear
Expansion,
Percentage of error

Aluminium Tube
Trial 1
Trial 2
704
104100
100900

Copper Tube
Trial 1
Trial 2
703
100100
99300

24
1.24
12100

25
1.23
15040

25
0.89
13050

77
53
3.3233E-05

70
45
3.8825E-05

0.0000238
39.64%

63.13%

25
0.88
13230

75
74
50
49
2.4320E-05 2.5546E-05
0.0000168
50.71%

52.06%

Sample Computations
Using the data gathered and substituting them to equation (1), the experimental coefficient of
linear expansion can be computed.
For the Aluminium Tube
=
= 705.24 704
= 1.24

=
= 77 24
= 53
Using equation (1)

1.24
=
(704)(53)

= 3.3233E-05
= 0.0000238
| |
% =
100

|0.0000238 3.3233E 05|


% =
100
0.0000238
% = 39.64%
For the Copper Tube
=
= 703.89 703
= 0.89
=
= 75 25
= 50
Using equation (1)

0.89
=
(703)(50)

= 2.4320E-05
= 0.0000168
| |
% =
100

|0.0000168 2.4320E 05|


% =
100
0.0000168
% = 50.71
Graphs
For the Aluminium tube
There is much more percent error in the
second trial because the metal was not cooled
down efficiently after the first trial.

For the Copper Tube


Almost the same data gathered, but to
eradicate so much difference between the data
and percent error, we let the tube cooldown
enough for the second trial to start.

Conclusion
After gathering the data from the experiment and the experimental coefficient of thermal
expansion was computed, it was then compared to the actual coefficient of thermal expansion. In
this experiment, the percentage error is so huge and it is because of several factors. The main
source of error in this experiment is that the room where the experiment is being held has a cold
temperature which can affect the temperature of the metal. If it was only done in the outside
where the room temperature is normal, there may have been a lesser percentage error between
the actual coefficient and the experimental coefficient of thermal expansion. Other errors such as
computing error, initial and final resistance of the thermistor may be the problem since it when it
starts increasing, it will continue to increase therefore giving no accurate measurement in the
resistance of the metal. Since the resistance is inaccurate, this will result into inaccurate reading
of temperature and this is because the temperature is based on the resistance of the metal.
Therefore, it can be concluded that the experimental and actual value of the thermal coefficient
have so much percent error because of the room temperature when the experiment was made.
The main purpose of this experiment is to understand how does and how much does the metal
expand in a given temperature. When it comes to solid materials, temperature is the measurement
of energy from the vibration of each atoms. When the temperature increases, the atoms and ions
on each solid material vibrates with greater strength and that causes the ions to have a greater
distance to each other thus leading to the expansion of the solid.
Understanding the data that are gathered, measurement, and the computed results, although they
have a greater percent error when it come to the experimental and actual coefficient of thermal
expansion, the results fall in the expected range of values. This is because there is such an error
when it comes to the room temperature. Since the room temperature, when the experiment was
made, was so low that it affects the resistance of the metal therefore affecting its temperature.
Reference
Yates, B. (1972). The Thermal Expansion of Solids. Thermal Expansion, 51-71.
doi:10.1007/978-1-4899-5448-0_4

Photos

Sample of the measurement we got from the resistance of the metal, This
equipment is called digital multi-tester and it measures the resistance and other
needed values for a metal.

A photo of me doing the excel work. Excel is needed in this experiment to graph
the given data and results for the group to understand better,

Thermistor on my hard, the aluminium rod on the top of the expansion base, a
steam generator at the left side, the digital multi tester at my hand and the copper
metal at the front (not seen in this photo)

Before going out the room, a little selfie was made. This is because to lighten
ourselves up after a tiring experiment.

You might also like