Final answer:
The phenomenon of concrete or other materials crumbling and losing integrity when exposed to heat is due to thermal stress, which arises from expansion and contraction as temperatures change.
Step-by-step explanation:
The crumbling and loss of concrete material when exposed to heat is often due to thermal stress. Concrete, as with many other materials such as metals, glass, and even biological cells, expands and contracts with temperature changes.
Sufficient gaps or expansion joints are critical in structures to accommodate these size changes. In the absence of these joints or in the presence of uneven cooling or heating, materials can suffer from cracks and thermal stress. For instance, roadways can buckle on hot days without adequate space for expansion, and glass can crack if cooled rapidly due to differential contraction.
Moreover, thermal expansion can lead to significant outcomes such as increased sea levels due to global warming. Thermal stress may not always result in immediate or visible damage; for example, repeated freezing and thawing cycles can gradually damage the cell structure in frozen foods, affecting their taste over time.
In engineering, careful consideration is given to expansion coefficients, especially in applications like metal implants in the human body or in construction materials, to minimize the risk of thermal stress.