Which term is the capacity of a material to expand when it's heated?

Which term is the capacity of a material to expand when it's heated?

• A. Thermal expansion
• B. Tang
• C. Table percentage
• D. Symmetry

Answer: (A)

Thermal expansion is the capacity of a material to expand when heated. When temperature rises, atoms vibrate more and push farther apart, causing the material to increase in size. The extent is described by the coefficient of thermal expansion, with linear expansion given by ΔL ≈ αL0ΔT and volumetric expansion by ΔV ≈ βV0ΔT (β is about 3α). This concept explains everyday observations like metal rulers lengthening in the heat and gaps in bridges or engines being designed to accommodate expansion. The other terms—tang, table percentage, and symmetry—do not describe how a material changes size with temperature.

Thermal expansion is the capacity of a material to expand when heated. When temperature rises, atoms vibrate more and push farther apart, causing the material to increase in size. The extent is described by the coefficient of thermal expansion, with linear expansion given by ΔL ≈ αL0ΔT and volumetric expansion by ΔV ≈ βV0ΔT (β is about 3α). This concept explains everyday observations like metal rulers lengthening in the heat and gaps in bridges or engines being designed to accommodate expansion. The other terms—tang, table percentage, and symmetry—do not describe how a material changes size with temperature.