Even though steel has a relatively low linear expansion coefficient (asteel = 1.

Question

Even though steel has a relatively low linear expansion coefficient (asteel = 1.3 10-5 °C-1), the expansion of steel railroad tracks can potentially create significant problems on very hot summer days. To accommodate for the thermal expansion, a gap is left between consecutive sections of the track. If each section is 22.1 m long at 20.0 °C and the gap between sections is 18.7 mm wide, what is the highest temperature the tracks can take before the expansion creates compressive forces between sections?

Explanation / Answer

Coefficient of linear expansion = 1.3*10^-5 C^-1 Initial length L = 22.1 m Change in length L = 18.7 mm = 0.0187 m Initial temperature t1 = 20 degreesC Let t2 be the fijnal temperature.                           L = L(t2 - t1)                     0.0187 = 22.1 * 1.3*10^-5 (t2 - 20)                      t2 - 20 = 65.08                              t2 = 85.1 degreesC   

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