Metal Expansion
Purpose: In this lab, we will heat up a metal rod and measure how much it expands. We will calculate its Coefficient of Linear Expansion, α, and prove the formula for thermal expansion, ΔL = αLiΔT. Also, we heat up a known volume of methyl alcohol and calculate its Coefficient of Volume Expansion, β, and prove the formula for volume expansion of a liquid ΔV = βViΔT.
Equipment: Hollow Metal Rods of different metals, Steam Generator, Stand, Burner, Flexible Hoses, Motion Amplifier, Micrometer, Meter Stick, Thermometer, Methyl Alcohol, Test Tubes, Beaker, Vernier Caliper, Rod, and Clamps
Procedure: For the first part of the lab, we try to prove the formula for thermal expansion, ΔL = αLiΔT. We first set up the lab by pouring water into the steam generator about three quarters full and then placing the top on it. Then we grab the flexible hoses and connect them to both ends of a metal rod. We then connect the end with the grove to the steam generator and then other we place paper towels underneath them, knowing that steam is going to come out from there. We measure the diameter of the pin, p=0.00303m, and then place the knife-edge support and the rollers and pin a distance and pin a bit smaller than the length of the rod. We place the knife-edge support on the groove on the rod and the other end of the rod on top of the rollers and pin. Now that it has been set up, we write down the length of the rod from the knife-edge support to the point where the rod is making contact with the pin, the initial temperature of the room from the thermometer, and the angle the pointer is on. Now we turn on the steam generator and wait for steam to start coming out from the open end and for the pointer to turn. Once steam starts coming out, we turn off the steam generator and quickly measure the temperature inside of open end hose. We also measure the angle the pointer is on. Now we use these measurements in the equation ΔL1 = πdΔθ1/360 to show the change of length of
Equipment: Hollow Metal Rods of different metals, Steam Generator, Stand, Burner, Flexible Hoses, Motion Amplifier, Micrometer, Meter Stick, Thermometer, Methyl Alcohol, Test Tubes, Beaker, Vernier Caliper, Rod, and Clamps
Procedure: For the first part of the lab, we try to prove the formula for thermal expansion, ΔL = αLiΔT. We first set up the lab by pouring water into the steam generator about three quarters full and then placing the top on it. Then we grab the flexible hoses and connect them to both ends of a metal rod. We then connect the end with the grove to the steam generator and then other we place paper towels underneath them, knowing that steam is going to come out from there. We measure the diameter of the pin, p=0.00303m, and then place the knife-edge support and the rollers and pin a distance and pin a bit smaller than the length of the rod. We place the knife-edge support on the groove on the rod and the other end of the rod on top of the rollers and pin. Now that it has been set up, we write down the length of the rod from the knife-edge support to the point where the rod is making contact with the pin, the initial temperature of the room from the thermometer, and the angle the pointer is on. Now we turn on the steam generator and wait for steam to start coming out from the open end and for the pointer to turn. Once steam starts coming out, we turn off the steam generator and quickly measure the temperature inside of open end hose. We also measure the angle the pointer is on. Now we use these measurements in the equation ΔL1 = πdΔθ1/360 to show the change of length of