
    Dismiss Notice
Dismiss Notice
Join Physics Forums Today!

Thermodynamics Linear Expansion Problem

  1. Jan 9, 2010 #1

    A brass plug is to be placed in a ring made of iron. At room temperature (20°C), the diameter of the plug is 8.749 cm and that of the inside of the ring is 8.739 cm. They must both be brought to what common temperature in order to fit?

    It's a linear expansion problem. As a a ring is heated, the diameter of the hole expands.
    d-plug = 8.749 cm
    d-ring = 8.739 cm
    ⌂diameter = .01cm
    α(brass) = 19E-6
    α(iron) = 12E-6
    ⌂T = 20-T or 293-T (⌂T is constant)
    To = 20°C = 293°K (Which one should I use?)

    T = ?

    2. Relevant equations
    L = Lo*(1+α⌂T)

    3. The attempt at a solution
    Set the L's of the brass and iron rings equal to each other.
    8.749(1+19E-6*⌂T) = 8.739(1+12E-6*⌂T)
    8.749 + .000166⌂T = 8.739 + .000105⌂T
    .01 = -.000061⌂T
    ⌂T = -163.05 °C (I think it's Celsius)
    20-(-163.05) = 183.05°C

    I attempted a few different methods to solving this, but they proved to be wrong. Am I correct in my thinking?
  2. jcsd
  3. Jan 9, 2010 #2
    You work looks good to me.
  4. Jan 9, 2010 #3
    Okay, thank you. I just needed to check that I had the right work and thinking.