First: Purpose

The purpose of this experiment is to measure the coefficient of

linear expansion for various metals.

Second: Equipment:
1. The 70 cm long expansion base with a built-in dial gauge and
thermostat.
2. Three metal tubes: steel, copper, and aluminum .
3. A foam insulator to avoid heat loss at the thermostat
connection point.
4. A source of steam or hot water plus tubing with 1/4-inch inner
diameter.
5. A digital ohmmeter plus leads with banana plug connectors.
6. A small block to raise the end of the expansion base
approximately 2-inches and a container to catch the water as it
drains out of the tube.

Third: Procedures
1. Fill the glass with quantity of water and fixed it properly
above the source of flame.
2. Open the gas cylinder and safe cock at the lab.

3. Operate flame.
4. Put glass cub at the end of the metal to collect condensing
steam.

Fourth: Results and Conclusion

1. Water evaporates and passes in a hose to the pipe where
expansion coefficient shall be measured
2. The indicator moves for some millimeters due to heat effect
on the metal
3. The highest expansion occur when the glass is about to be
empty of the water

Fifth: results table

Metal
Aluminum
Copper
Steel

L0
400
400
400

L1
402
404
401

L = L1- L0
402-400= 2mm
404 400 = 4 mm
401 400 = 1 mm

3.5
3.0
0
2.5
2.0
0
1.5
1.0
0
.5
10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

110

120