Question

How large an expansion gap should be left between steel railroads rails if they may reach a maximum temperature 30.0 degrees C greater than when they were laid? Their original length is 15.0 m. The coefficient of linear expansion for steel is 12 * 10^-6/C

Answer 1

To determine the expansion gap between steel railroad rails given a temperature change, you can use the formula for linear expansion:

ΔL = α * L * ΔT

Where:
ΔL = Change in length
α = Coefficient of linear expansion (12 * 10^-6 /°C for steel)
L = Original length (15.0 m)
ΔT = Change in temperature (30.0°C)

Substitute the values into the formula:

ΔL = (12 * 10^-6 /°C) * 15.0 m * 30.0°C

ΔL = 0.0054 meters

Therefore, the expansion gap to be left between the steel railroad rails for a temperature increase of 30.0°C should be approximately 0.0054 meters or 5.4 millimeters.