Question

Most cars have a coolant reservoir to catch radiator fluid that may overflow when the engine is hot. A radiator is made of copper and is filled to its 21.1 L capacity when at 12.2°C. What volume of radiator fluid (in L) will overflow when the radiator and fluid reach a temperature of 95.0°C, given that the fluid's volume coefficient of expansion is β = 400 ✕ 10−6/°C? (Your answer will be a conservative estimate, as most car radiators have operating temperatures greater than 95.0°C).

Answer 1

0.699 L of the fluid will overflow

Step-by-step explanation:

We know that the change in volume ΔV = V₀β(T₂ - T₁) where V₀ = volume of radiator = 21.1 L, β = coefficient of volume expansion of fluid = 400 × 10⁻⁶/°C

and T₁ = initial temperature of radiator = 12.2°C and T₂ = final temperature of radiator = 95.0°C

Substituting these values into the equation, we have

ΔV = V₀β(T₂ - T₁)

= 21.1 L × 400 × 10⁻⁶/°C × (95.0°C - 12.2°C)

= 21.1 L × 400 × 10⁻⁶/°C × 82.8°C = 698832 × 10⁻⁶ L

= 0.698832 L

≅ 0.699 L = 0.7 L to the nearest tenth litre

So, 0.699 L of the fluid will overflow