DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS AND ASTRONOMY

APPALACHIAN STATE UNIVERSITY

Lab Assignment: Thermal Expansion of

Solids
Name: Henry Snuggs 1104 Section: 203 Date: 2/27/24
Name: Tate Johnson Group:

● You are working in groups of TWO, and turning in ONE lab report at the end of the lab
meeting. Both names and section numbers need to be at the top of this page.
● Read the Introduction and complete the Pre-lab Activity and the Online Quiz for the lab on
Asulearn before arriving at the lab. The Pre-Lab Activity involves predictions, conceptual
questions and background information that can be done before you arrive, saving you time
during the lab. Many of the Online Quiz questions are based on the Pre-lab activity so it is best
that you do the Pre-Lab Activity BEFORE starting the Quiz. The Quiz is automatically graded and
will close at the beginning of your lab meeting time. The Pre-lab will be turned in and graded
as part of the lab assignment.
● You need to make a copy of this document and save to your own google drive using “File>Make a
Copy” in order to have editing permission.
● To submit hand-drawn sketches or calculations take a CLEAR picture and save it to a file. You
may insert the picture into your lab document in the appropriate locations using "Insert>Image".
● To submit graphs or tables from Vernier Graphical Analysis or Vernier Video Analysis, you can
either: "File>Export Graph" or take a screenshot of the graph and save to a file. Insert the graph
or table into your lab document in the appropriate locations using "Insert>Image".
● When you have completed the lab, save it as a pdf using "File>Download As> PDF Document" to
submit for grading. Here is a video to show you how to convert a google doc to a PDF. All lab
reports must be submitted by 11:59 PM on the day of lab. If you miss this deadline, please
contact your lab instructor.
● Copying items on Lab Assignments or re-using a lab completed in a previous semester
(even your own work from a previous semester) constitutes an academic integrity code
violation and will be brought before the Office of Student Conduct.

Purpose
Investigate how the dimensions of solid materials change with temperature by taking
measurements and plotting results.
By the end of this lab students will:
● Use a spec sheet to determine the precision of a digital thermometer in order to
determine the uncertainty in temperature that may be less than what the digital
display indicates.
● Read a change in length from a micrometer dial.
● Plot change in length as temperature changes to determine the coefficient of
thermal expansion of a copper tube.
Necessary Equipment

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 DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS AND ASTRONOMY
APPALACHIAN STATE UNIVERSITY

● Pasco thermal expansion apparatus

● Steam generator, cap, and rubber hose
● Digital Thermometer with K probe
● meter stick
● Collector cup for condensation
● Water
● Paper towels
WARNING: THIS LAB USES BOILING WATER AND STEAM! PLEASE BE VERY CAREFUL
WHEN HANDLING THE STEAM GENERATOR OR THE HOT METAL!

Introduction: Thermal Expansion of Solids

The materials that we touch and come into contact with every day are made of atoms and
molecules that are bonded together and separated by very small distances. These bonds
act like springs such that they keep materials together and that they can stretch. In general,
when these materials are cold, the bonds between atoms and molecules have the lowest
energy level, IE they contain the smallest amount of energy. When materials are warmed,
the atoms and molecules are given energy and this has the effect of stretching these bonds
or increasing the distance between the particles. We can measure this thermally induced
expansion, called thermal expansion, and define it to be the tendency of matter to change
in size in response to a change in temperature. We know from the study of
thermodynamics that an object's temperature using the Kelvin [K] scale is proportional to
the object's internal kinetic energy. When energy in the form of heat, which is measured in
Joules [J], is transferred to an object, its constituent particles maintain a greater average
separation. Since all the distances between particles increase, the material’s volume will
expand. While not impossible, materials which contract with increasing temperature are
uncommon. Water, over a very narrow range of temperatures, is such a material.

Linear Thermal Expansion

Consider an object that is being thermally excited. We will look at just one dimension of the
material: for example, if we have a long metal rod we will look at its length. The specifics of
exactly how the material changes shape with temperature depends on many material
properties and many physical laws, such as those of quantum mechanics. Luckily, many
materials behave in a very reproducible and linear way over a rather wide range of
temperatures around room temperature. Specifically, many materials will expand linearly
with the change in temperature. Thus, if we double the temperature change, we double the
change in length. This relationship is called linear thermal expansion. Since materials differ
greatly in terms of chemical and physical construct, each material has its own coefficient of
linear thermal expansion coefficient α. This coefficient indicates the fractional change of its
original length per change in temperature °C. The coefficient is found by dividing the

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 DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS AND ASTRONOMY
APPALACHIAN STATE UNIVERSITY

percent change in length by the change in temperature Δ𝑇 = (𝑇𝑓 − 𝑇𝑖), Thus the change in
length ΔL of an object will be equal to the linear thermal expansion coefficient α times
original length Lo times change in temperature ΔT:

∆𝐿 = 𝐿𝑜α(∆𝑇) (1)

where ΔT is the change in temperature or Tf – Ti. We can rewrite equation 1 as:

∆𝐿 = 𝐿𝑜α(𝑇𝑓 − 𝑇𝑖) (2)

This week, you will set up an experiment to measure how the length of an object changes
with temperature. If this relationship is linear, the linear thermal expansion coefficient α
can be determined and compared to an accepted value, such as that given by table 13-1 in
your textbook.

If steam is sent through a metal pipe which is at room temperature, the pipe will expand as
the pipe warms up. The amount of expansion is not large and must be measured using a
precise micrometer. For such an experiment, the pipe and other components will be hot
and we have provided an assembly similar to that shown in Figure 1 to allo w for the
measurement of small distances effectively and safely.

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 DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS AND ASTRONOMY
APPALACHIAN STATE UNIVERSITY

Figure 1. Thermal Expansion experimental apparatus.

Using the assembly shown in Figure 1, we will start with a metal rod at room temperature
(around 20℃). After measuring the initial temperature and length, we will fill the rod with
steam. After the rod is the same temperature as the steam (around 100℃), we will
measure the final temperature and change in the length of the rod. From the measured
values of initial length, change in length, and the initial and final temperature of a metal
rod, we can experimentally determine the coefficient of linear expansion for the rod.

The Micrometer Metric Dial

Examine the micrometer metric dial in figure 2, a similar metric
dial is attached to the apparatus we will use in this experiment to
measure the change in distance of different types of metal rods
as they expand and contract due to temperature changes.

The micrometer metric dial is used to measure very small

changes in distance. The least count, or distance between the
smallest tick marks, of the big needle is 0.01 mm. There are 100
increments in a full circle of the needle. The small needle counts
the number of times the large needle has made a complete

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 DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS AND ASTRONOMY
APPALACHIAN STATE UNIVERSITY

circle. We will not be using the smaller dial, just the large outer dial which has a least
count of 0.01 mm = 1x10-5m. You can estimate the needle
position to the nearest half of a division, which will give you
an estimated error of 0.005 mm =0.5 x10-5m and thus
measure to a micron (1 𝜇m = 10-6 m) of length expansion.

For example, consider the micrometer dial in the picture:

This micrometer is reading 0.628 mm +/- 0.005 mm =

62.8x10-5 m +/- 0.5x10-5 m = 0.000628 m +/- 0.000005 m

If you are uncertain about how to use this device, there are
many articles and videos on the web, use the search term
“How to read a metric dial indicator”.

The Digital Thermometer

To measure temperature, we will use an Extech EasyView digital thermometer (or a similar
device) placed into the end of the metal sample to measure temperature. The digital
thermometer is an example of digital reading where the device is less accurate than the
display implies. In this case, we cannot use our normal rules of determining the uncertainty
and instead need to look at the accuracy of the device that the manufacturer lists in their
specifications.

An excerpt of the user manual is shown below. Examine the section that describes the
accuracy of the digital thermometer. This accuracy describes the confidence or uncertainty
of the reading in a particular temperature range. Notice that the accuracy of the
measurement is a percentage of the temperature itself plus an additional amount of error.

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 DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS AND ASTRONOMY
APPALACHIAN STATE UNIVERSITY

The steps you must take to determine the measurement uncertainty are a little bit different
than for other digital devices that are more accurate than the display shows. For the
thermometer the accuracy depends on what temperature you are measuring, and is
reported as a percentage of the measurement with an additional uncertainty.

Steps to take to find uncertainty in a digital thermometer

Determine the uncertainty in your measurement (with units):

1. Consider the temperature range that you will be using to find the correct uncertainty
formula in the manual.
2. Take your measurement.
3. Calculate the uncertainty for that measurement using the correct formula for the range
you are in.

Express your measurement with uncertainty in the correct format:

4. Round your uncertainty to one DIGIT. Keep in mind that you will be rounding the value
up, except in extreme cases.
5. Determine the place (tens, ones, tenths, hundreds) where the uncertainty digit is.
Round your measurement to that place, making sure that both the measurement and
uncertainty have the same units. You are rounding your measurement to the least
significant digit, since any digit in a place less than the least significant one is
INSIGNIFICANT.
6. Report your measurement and uncertainty with the same number of decimal places
and units.
𝑚𝑒𝑎𝑛 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑠 ± 𝑢𝑛𝑐𝑒𝑟𝑡𝑎𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑦 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑠

It is easier to describe in an example of the temperature of steam:

1. Steam should fall in the range of 0°C to 1000°C which means the device has an accuracy
of
+/- (0.3% reading + 1°C)
2. Take the measurement:
96.7°C
3. Calculate the uncertainty in the measurement:
+/- (0.003*96.7°C + 1°C) = 1.29°C
4. Round the error up and to 1 digit : 2°C
The error should be rounded to one digit, which is in the ones place. It should also be
rounded up, not down, so the calculated uncertainty of 1.29°C rounds to 2°C.
5. Round your measurement to the ones place to report: 97°C +/- 2°C

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 DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS AND ASTRONOMY
APPALACHIAN STATE UNIVERSITY

Lab Activities: Thermal Expansion of Solids

In this lab we will connect a hollow metal rod to a steam source. We will heat up the rod
from room temperature (20℃) by filling the rod with steam (100℃) and use a precise
measurement tool called a micrometer metric dial to measure the expansion of the metal
rod after the steam and the rod have achieved thermal equilibrium.

Pre-Lab Activity: Getting ready for the thermal expansion

experiment
To make the lab go smoother and save you time, the pre-lab activity will get you acquainted
with how to read the measuring devices and have you think about how you would best do
the experiment.
Question 1: (2pts) We will be using the Extech Digital Thermometer to record our
temperature measurements. The digital thermometer is an example of digital reading
where the device is less accurate than the display implies. Answer the following
questions to determine the uncertainty in an example temperature reading of 36.4°C.
a) Based on the excerpt of the user manual provided in the Introduction, what accuracy
setting (formula) would you use to determine the uncertainty in this temperature
reading? (Use the highlight color tool to choose.)
i) ± (0. 3% 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔 + 2℉)@ 0℉ 𝑡𝑜 1832℉
ii) ± (0. 5% 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔 + 2℉)@ 1832℉ 𝑡𝑜 1999℉
iii) ± (0. 5% 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔 + 1℃)@ − 50℃ 𝑡𝑜 0℃
iv) ± (0. 3% 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔 + 1℃)@ 0℃ 𝑡𝑜 1000℃
v) ± (0. 5% 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔 + 1℃)@1000℃ 𝑡𝑜 1300℃

b) Calculate the uncertainty in the measurement of T in ℃ using the appropriate

formula. Then, report your measurement of 36.4°C and the uncertainty with the
correct number of decimal places and units. Use proper rounding for the
uncertainty. Show all work including units.
Show work: .3 % = .003 x 36.4 = 1.1092 = 1.1 ℃

T (with uncertainty) = 36 ℃ +/- 2 ℃

Question 2: (2 pts) In this lab we will connect a hollow metal rod to a steam source. We
will heat up the rod by filling the rod with steam and use a precise measurement tool
called a micrometer metric dial to measure the expansion of the metal rod after the
steam and the rod have achieved thermal equilibrium. Think about the limitations to
the experiment: a) What will the temperature range (minimum temperature and
maximum temperature) of the rod be during this experiment? b) Will the temperature
be uniform across the metal rod? c) Based on the previous question on the digital

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 DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS AND ASTRONOMY
APPALACHIAN STATE UNIVERSITY

thermometer, what is the uncertainty of our temperature measurements? How will that
influence the precision of our results?
The maximum temp will be 150 c and the minimum will be 100 c. The temperature
will not be uniform across the metal rod because of the initial temperature
distribution in the rod. The temperature measurements uncertainty 0.1c or 0.5 c
the uncertainty will change the precision of the results, as any measurement
error in the temperature will lead to an error in the calculation of the expansion
of the metal rod.

Question 3: (2pts) Our goal is to use equation 1 to graphically determine the linear
thermal expansion coefficient. Go here for a refresher on using graphs to determine
experimental results. First, we can vary a parameter while we make measurements. We
can then fit Eq. 1 to a plot of these paired values. Let us compare our linear thermal
expansion equation given to us in equation 1 to that of a line:
𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑏

∆𝐿 = 𝐿𝑜α(∆𝑇)

Where y is the dependent variable, x is the independent variable, m is the slope and b
is the y-intercept. The y-intercept is zero in this case.

a) What quantity that you can easily change (by heating the rod) and would be the
independent variable for linear thermal expansion? Make sure to use only the
variables present in equation 1. Would this be plotted on the x- or y-axis?
Independent Variable = T

axis it should be plotted on = X- Axis

b) What quantity would be measured in response and be the dependent variable in

equation 1? Which axis would this be on?
Dependant Variable = L

axis it should be plotted on = Y-Axis

c) Write down the linear expansion equation (∆𝐿 = 𝐿𝑜α(∆𝑇)) and match the terms up
with the equation of a line, 𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑏. Match the variables in the linear expansion
equation to the y variable, the x variable, and the slope for the equation of a line.
During the lab you will use this method to determine the linear expansion
coefficient, α, in terms of the slope, m.
y = m x + b

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 DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS AND ASTRONOMY
APPALACHIAN STATE UNIVERSITY

∆𝐿 = 𝐿𝑜α ∆𝑇 + 0

Pre-lab Check: Have your lab instructor sign that you have completed all Pre-lab Activity
questions and copied them over to the lab assignment before you begin the lab. This does
not mean that you will get full credit on your answers for these questions, just that you are
prepared to start the lab.

Instructor Initials: SD

Activity One – Linear Thermal Expansion for Copper

Using the assembly shown in Figure 3, we will pass steam through a metal rod. When the
metal rod is heated by the steam, the pipe will elongate and push against the metric dial
micrometer needle and register a change in length.

We will heat up a metal rod and measure the expansion due to an increase in thermal
energy (as measured by the temperature) in the rod. The rod will expand as the
temperature goes up, and contract in the same manner as the temperature cools down
following the linear equation (equation 2 in the Introduction).
∆𝐿 = 𝐿𝑜α(𝑇𝑓 − 𝑇𝑖)
You will determine the coefficient of linear thermal expansion twice: once during the
heating-up stage, and once during the cooling-down stage.

Preliminary Steps and Information

The tube from the steam generator attaches to one end of the metal rod. It will take a little
time for the water to get to a high enough temperature to form steam. After the steam
enters the rod, the rod will heat up quickly. A cup should be placed at the low end, under
the thermal probe to catch the condensing steam.

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 DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS AND ASTRONOMY
APPALACHIAN STATE UNIVERSITY

1) Check that your apparatus is set-up similar to Figure 3. You will use the copper rod.
Have your instructor help you if you do not know how to set it up.
2) The larger circular disk on the tube presses against the tip of the spring arm of the
digital indicator and the smaller circular disk on the tube fits into a slot on the “high”
end of the frame. IMPORTANT: Adjust the thumb-screw to lock the smaller disk
into place, so it will not move during the experiment.

3) DISCONNECT THE RUBBER TUBE FROM THE METAL ROD. Leave the tube connected to
the steam generator. This will allow you to heat up the water without heating up the
metal rod. After the water is heated, we will connect the rubber tube to the location
labeled ‘Tubing Adapter’.
4) Turn on the steam generator while the rubber tube remains disconnected. You want to
heat up the water in preparation for the experiment, but not heat up the metal rod in
the apparatus yet.
5) Insert the temperature probe into the end of the tube with the digital indicator, and
place the collector cup or watch glass underneath it to collect condensation.

The thermometer must be in the low end, and water will come streaming out, so a
small cup should be placed under it.

Taking initial data and while heating up

Question 4: (2pts) Before you heat the copper rod, you need to establish the initial
conditions of the experiment.
a) First, determine the initial length of the rod, L0. Although the entire metal pipe is
elongating, you are only measuring the expansion that takes place between the two
ring clips (see figure below). One clip is anchored in the mounting bracket while the
plunger of the metric digital indicator rests on the other clip to read any change in
length. Thus, when determining L0, we are not concerned with the total length of the
rod, just the distance between the clips.

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 DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS AND ASTRONOMY
APPALACHIAN STATE UNIVERSITY

Remove the copper rod and measure L0, the distance between the clips and record
it in meters with an appropriate uncertainty in your measurement. Replace the rod
when you are done.
L0 (with uncertainty) = .736 m +/- 0.001 m

b) Measure the initial temperature, Ti, of the rod, and record it in °C with an
appropriate uncertainty and significant figures in your measurement. (The
uncertainty that you determined in your pre-lab activity will be the uncertainty of all
your temperature measurements in this lab.)

Ti (with uncertainty) = 26 c +/- 2 c

c) With the rod attached to the apparatus, check that the micrometer is measuring the
distance between the two clips. Zero your micrometer so you can accurately
measure the change in length. After you have zeroed the dial, DO NOT TOUCH IT
UNTIL THE EXPERIMENT IS COMPLETE. Have your instructor check that the device
is set up and zeroed properly.

Instructor Initials: SD

Question 5: (2pts) When it seems that the water in the steam generator is boiling,
carefully connect the tube at the top of the steam generator. Watch the micrometer dial
as the tube is expanding. The dial may go all the way around and start over at 0. If this is
the case, then add 1 mm to the reading on the dial. (On most of the micrometer dials,
you will use the red numbers to measure expansion and the black numbers to measure
contraction. We are only measuring expansion in this lab, so use the red numbers.)
a. Record the final temperature, Tf, in °C with an appropriate uncertainty in your
measurement. This may be lower than you predicted, as water boils at a lower
temperature in Boone due to the elevation.
Tf (with uncertainty) = 99 c +/- 2 c

b. Determine the ∆L from the metric dial indicator, and record it in meters with an
appropriate uncertainty in your measurement. The least count of the micrometer
dial is 0.01 mm (0.01 mm = 1x10-5 m).
ΔL (with uncertainty) = 0.89 mm +/- 0.01 mm

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 DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS AND ASTRONOMY
APPALACHIAN STATE UNIVERSITY

Taking data while cooling down

It is much easier to gather data on the linear expansion using this device during the cooling
stage. Since the equation is linear, it will expand as the temperature goes up, and contract
in the same manner as the temperature cools down.

Question 6: (2pts) Perform your experiment to find the thermal expansion coefficient of
the copper rod while it is cooling down.
i) Turn the steam generator off and disconnect the tube at the top of the steam
generator. Do not touch the metal rod!
ii) Starting at around 80℃, collect 6 pairs of ΔL and temperature measurements
as the tube cools down to room temperature.
iii) Calculate the difference in temperature between the temperature you measure at
each data point (Tf) and the initial temperature (Ti): (∆𝑇 = 𝑇𝑓 − 𝑇𝑖). Where Ti is room
temperature.
Record your data in the table below with units and the number of significant figures
needed to match the uncertainty given.
Data Point Tf [± 2℃] ∆T=|Tf - Ti| [℃] ∆L [±0.5 x10-5 m]

1 79.9 53.6 .000710

2 69.8 43.5 .000585

3 60.0 33.7 .000455

4 50.0 23.7 .000325

5 37.5 11.2 .000148

6 32.0 5.7 .000075

Activity Two – Determine the coefficient of linear

expansion by direct calculation and a graphical method
We will use the data we have collected both in the heat up phase of the experiment, and
the cooling down period of the experiment to find the coefficient of linear expansion in two
ways: direct calculation and graphical analysis.

Method 1, direct calculation of α:

To directly calculation α, will use equation 2:
∆𝐿 = 𝐿𝑜α(𝑇𝑓 − 𝑇𝑖)

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 DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS AND ASTRONOMY
APPALACHIAN STATE UNIVERSITY

and the data obtained during the heat up portion of the experiment and directly solve for
α:
∆𝐿
α= 𝐿𝑜(𝑇𝑓−𝑇𝑖)

Question 7: Using the data obtained during the heat up portion of the experiment, where
Ti is the initial (room) temperature of the rod, and Tf is the final maximum temperature
of the rod, calculate the thermal expansion coefficient α for copper. This value will be
called α1.
a) (1pt) Show your work for the direct calculation of α1, starting from the symbolic
equation and show all steps with units throughout.
0.00089 𝑚𝑚
Show work: 0.736𝑚(99−26)
= 0.0000166

⍺1 = 0.0166 c

b) (1pt) Compare your experimental value of α1 with the known value from the table of
coefficients of expansion in the Introduction using percent error (
𝑘𝑛𝑜𝑤𝑛−𝑒𝑥𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒 |
% 𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 = || 𝑘𝑛𝑜𝑤𝑛 |×100%). If you have more than 15% error, then ask
your instructor to look over your experimental data and calculations.

⍺1 = 1.66 x 10^-5 c

⍺known = 17 x 10^-6 c

| 17𝑥10−6 − 1.66 𝑥 10−5 |

Show work: | |×100%
| 17𝑥10
−6
|

% error = 2.4 %

Method 2, graphical determination of α:

Method 2 will use equation 1, (which is a simplified form of equation 2) but will use the
multiple data sets obtained during the cool down portion of the experiment and plot ΔL
versus ΔT and perform a linear curve fit (𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑏) to the graph. The temperature is
changing, and the length changes in response. Let us rearrange our equation and compare
to 𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑏. This makes the y-intercept, 𝑏 = 0, and the slope, 𝑚 = 𝐿0α.

∆𝐿 = 𝐿𝑜α(∆𝑇)

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 DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS AND ASTRONOMY
APPALACHIAN STATE UNIVERSITY

The purpose of analyzing our experimental data using two methods is to compare the
accuracy of each method.

Question 8: (2pts) Open Graphical Analysis and enter the license code to use the PRO
version: gasRe6uJtu. Start a new ‘Manual Entry’ experiment. Enter your values of change
in temperature, ΔT, on the X-axis and change in length, ΔL, on the Y-axis. Make sure that
you add labels and units to your columns, so they will show up on your graph.
a) Perform a linear curve fit to your data with units and uncertainty. Report your slope
in units of m/℃. Apply the appropriate rounding based on the uncertainty.
slope, m = .00001333 m/c +/- .0000001404 m/c

b) Your slope should be in the range of 1.0 x10-5m/℃ and 1.5 x10-5m/℃.
i) Yes, my slope is in the correct range. (You may continue the lab.)
ii) No, my slope is not in this range. (DO NOT CONTINUE. Check your equation and
graph or ask your instructor for help.)

c) You are using the slope of your linear graph to determine the linear thermal
expansion coefficient α from this plot. We will call this α2, and it has units of 1/℃.
Show all work for your calculation of α2 from your slope starting from the symbolic
equation. The slope will be 𝑚 = 𝐿0α2, where L0 is the initial length as measured in
the first activity.
Show work: (0.00001333) / (.736)

α2 = 0.00001811 1/℃

Question 9: (1pt) Insert your graph of Change in Length vs. Change in Temperature with
an appropriate title in the space below. Make sure that you follow the checklist for
graphs to get full credit.

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 DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS AND ASTRONOMY
APPALACHIAN STATE UNIVERSITY

Question 10: (1pt) Compare your experimental value of linear expansion from the plot, α2
with the known value from the table of coefficients of expansion in the Introduction
𝑘𝑛𝑜𝑤𝑛−𝑒𝑥𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒 |
using percent error (% 𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 = || 𝑘𝑛𝑜𝑤𝑛 |×100%). If you have more than
15% error, then ask your instructor to look over your experimental data and
calculations.

⍺2 = .00001811 1/℃

⍺known = 17 x 10^-6

| 17𝑥10−6−.00001811 |
Show work: | |×100%
| 17𝑥10
−6
|

% error = 6.53 %

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 DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS AND ASTRONOMY
APPALACHIAN STATE UNIVERSITY

Question 11: (1pt) Compare your experimental results α1 and α2. Use percent difference (
𝑑𝑖𝑓𝑓𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑒
% 𝑑𝑖𝑓𝑓𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑒 = || 𝑎𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑔𝑒 ||×100%), which is the difference between two experimental
values found using different methods. If you have more than 20% error, look over your
calculations.
α1 = .0000166 c

α2= .00001811 1/℃

0.00000151
Show work:% 𝑑𝑖𝑓𝑓𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑒 = || 0.00001736 ||×100%

% difference = 8.7 %

Question 12: (2pts) Which of these two experimental methods (heating up or cooling
down) used a more precise experimental method? This is not necessarily the method
that produced the lowest percent error. Explain why that method had more precision
than the other.

Cooling down was our method of choice, it provided a more precise method to
measure the temperature and the length of the rod. When heating up the rod it went
from room temperature to over 98 degrees C in a matter of a few seconds, when
cooling down it took well over 30 minutes to come back down to room temperature.
During the cooling down process, we were able to take many accurate measurements
and still have time to do math and report along the way.

Experimental Error and Conclusion

Question 13: (2pts) Discuss at least two main sources of error that affected both the
heating up and cooling down process and how they impacted the experiment. Would
the source of error make your coefficient of linear expansion larger than you expected
or smaller than you expected? How does this compare to your actual results, were the
coefficients of linear expansion larger than the known values or smaller? Do NOT use
the phrase ‘human error’, be more specific in order to identify how the error would
impact the experiment!
(Note: Miscalculations, numerical rounding, or misreading instructions are NOT errors.
Focus on errors with the process of collecting and analyzing the data.)

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 DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS AND ASTRONOMY
APPALACHIAN STATE UNIVERSITY

A few sources of error that we could think of, included one being that our device for
measuring the temperature of the tube could be more accurate, the tube had some
form of temperature probe wrapped around the tube and we think that would be
more accurate. The other error we could think of was that water and/or foreign
material that could be absorbing some of the heat from the steam and not accurately
transferring that heat to the copper pipe. These sources of errors would affect our
coefficient of linear expansion by making it larger by not transferring heat as quickly.
This transferred to our experiment by making the actual values larger than the
known.

Question 14: (5pts) Summarize your experiment and interpret the major results. It should
address:
1) A short description of what you did and WHY it was done (what was the key physics
explored).
2) Your MAJOR results with values and units (
3NOT all values measured or calculated);
3) The accuracy and precision of your measured values. Generally, this will include
your %error or % difference values.
4) Identify the improvements that would have the most impact on your accuracy
and/or precision and how would you implement them in a practical manner (you do
not need to reiterate what the errors were, just propose a solution for them);
5) How were the goals/purposes of the lab achieved?
The conclusion should be concise (not wordy) and written in paragraph form.
1. We Investigated how the dimensions of solid materials change with temperature by
taking measurements and plotting results.
2. Our major results were a percent error of 8.7% for our final and our initial and final
temp were 26.3 and 98.6 degrees c.
3. The accuracy of our measurements was within range of the accepted values which
were considered to be close to the actual values of having an 8.7% percent difference.
4. The improvements that could have been made are the measuring device being on
the outside touching the copper tube in order to get a correct reading of how much
the tube is heating up and how much it expanded and not the air temp inside the
tube.
5. the goals of the lab were achieved by measuring the expansion on the copper tube
when the stem is applied and showing what happens over the cooling period.

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 DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS AND ASTRONOMY
APPALACHIAN STATE UNIVERSITY

Post Lab
1. Please clean up your lab station, put the equipment back in the original
configuration.
a. Turn off your steam generator.
b. Turn off your Temperature probe
c. Disconnect the steam generator from the metal rod.
d. Dry off any water that has spilled on your table.
2. Make sure that the lab assignment document is shared with all group members.
3. It is best to submit the lab assignment before you leave the laboratory,
however, the deadline for submission is 11:59 PM on the day that you
performed the lab.
a. Download as a PDF. Here is a video of converting the google doc to a PDF.
b. Must be submitted by at least one group member by the deadline, with the
names of the other group member on the first page.
c. All group members must have proof of attendance during the same lab period
to get credit for working together. If your proof of attendance is in doubt, check
with your lab instructor before leaving the lab.
Instructor check: Have your instructor check that you have everything complete before
you leave the lab.
Instructor Initials: SD

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