Free volume expansion is approximately proportional to initial volume and temperature change.
Difficulty
Intermediate
Read time
5 min
Prerequisites
Basic algebra, consistent units, and the stated model assumptions
Source
OpenStax, College Physics 2e, §13.2 (Paul Peter Urone and Roger Hinrichs)OpenFormulaGraph equation reference; FormuLab adaptation details and license are provided below.
Adapted from OpenFormulaGraph, under CC BY 4.0.
FormuLab adapted wording, notation, applicability conditions and topic placement, and expanded the numerical check into a worked example.
Free volume expansion is approximately proportional to initial volume and temperature change. The coefficient depends on the material and operating temperature.
| Symbol | Meaning | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Volume (change) | ||
| Coefficient of Volume Expansion | ||
| Volume (initial) | ||
| Temperature (change) |
Estimate volume change as temperature changes.
Compare expansion coefficients under the same conditions.
Find the free volume change for initial volume 2 m³, temperature rise 50 K, and expansion coefficient 3.60 × 10⁻⁵ K⁻¹.
OpenFormulaGraph equation reference; FormuLab adaptation details and license are provided below.
Adapted from OpenFormulaGraph, under CC BY 4.0.
FormuLab adapted wording, notation, applicability conditions and topic placement, and expanded the numerical check into a worked example.
Assumptions
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