Question

If a certain mass of mercury has a volume of 0.002 m^3 at a temperature of 20°c, what will be the volume at 50°c

Answer 1

Change in volume = mass x coefficient of linear expansion x change in temperature
.002 x .0001802 x 30 = .000010812

initial volume + change in volume = Final volume
.002 + .000010812 = .002010812 m cubed

Answer 2

Answer;

= 0.0020108 m³

Explanation;

• Using the concept on thermal expansion of matter, in this case thermal expansion of liquid mercury.

V₁=0.002 m³, T₂ =20 °C

V₂= ? T₂ = 50° C

• Thus, change in temperature will be; T₂ - T₁

That is, 50°C - 20°C = 30 °C

• The coefficient (γ) of volume expansion of Mercury at 20 °C is 0.00018 per centigrade.

• Therefore, the volume of mercury at 50° C will be given by;

V₂ =V₁ [1 + γ(50-30)]

= 0.002 [1 + 0.00018(30)]

= 0.0020108 m³

Therefore; the volume of mercury at 50°C is 0.0020108 m³