Final answer:
Thermal expansion causes substances to increase in size with rising temperatures, used in thermometers to measure temperature and considered in construction to prevent structural damage.
Step-by-step explanation:
Thermal expansion refers to the tendency of most substances to expand as their temperature increases and contract as their temperature decreases. This behavior is exploited in devices like thermometers and in structural design principles. For instance, mercury or alcohol in thermometers serve as the active medium. As the temperature rises, the liquid expands, moving up the calibrated scale of the thermometer and indicating an increase in temperature. Similarly, bimetallic thermometers use two metals with different expansion rates coiled together. Upon heating, the differential expansion causes the coil to uncoil, which is used to measure temperature changes.
Thermal expansion is not limited to liquids; solids like limestone experience expansion as well. This is why builders leave small gaps between cladding stones in buildings to prevent cracking from pressure due to expansion at high temperatures. Understanding and accounting for thermal expansion is crucial in a variety of applications, from everyday household items like thermometers to large-scale architectural projects.