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Thermal Expansion Calculator

Thermal Expansion Calculator

What is Thermal Expansion Calculator?

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Thermal expansion describes how materials change size with temperature. Most solids expand when heated and contract when cooled. Linear thermal expansion: ΔL = α × L₀ × ΔT, where α is the material's coefficient of thermal expansion.

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How to Thermal Expansion Calculator

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  1. 1Linear expansion: ΔL = α × L₀ × ΔT
  2. 2Volumetric expansion: ΔV = β × V₀ × ΔT ≈ 3α × V₀ × ΔT
  3. 3α (steel) ≈ 12 × 10⁻⁶ /°C · α (aluminium) ≈ 23 × 10⁻⁶ /°C · α (concrete) ≈ 12 × 10⁻⁶ /°C

Worked Examples

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Example 1
Given:Steel rail 10m long · temperature rise 50°C
Result:ΔL = 6mm

12×10⁻⁶ × 10 × 50 = 0.006m

Coefficients of linear thermal expansion

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Materialα (×10⁻⁶/°C)
Steel12
Aluminium23
Copper17
Concrete12
Glass8
Invar (Fe-Ni)1.2
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Did you know?

The Eiffel Tower grows about 15cm taller in summer than winter due to thermal expansion of its steel structure. Expansion joints in bridges and railways exist for exactly this reason.

Formula-verified for precision
Reviewed October 2026
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