You\'ve probably seen those small gaps between sections of roadway where Arkadel

Question

You've probably seen those small gaps between sections of roadway where Arkadelphia crosses the freeway. They allow the road to expand without buckling when the air temperature changes greatly. Try to estimate the coefficient of linear expansion for concrete based on that example. If that seems too difficult at first, consider what other quantities you need to estimate (or observe) first to make this determination. (Dont get hung up on details or try to be too precise. Explain your chain of logic.)

Explanation / Answer

We start by measuring the length (let L0) at a temperature say T0. Then say at temperature T0+dT the length is L0+dL, then the change in length is dL and the change in temperature is dT.

The fraction by which the solid expands dL/L is proportional to the change in temperature dT. This proportional constant is coefficient of expansion a.

dL/L = a dT

So, a = dL/ (L * dT)

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