How it works
The length of solids changes almost proportionally with temperature. The linear expansion coefficient α tells how many millionths the length grows for each 1 K rise. A 1 m steel bar heated by 60 °C becomes about 0.7 mm longer.
Formula
ΔL = α × L₀ × (T₂ − T₁)
The coefficients listed are typical values near room temperature and vary with alloy and temperature range. Plastics can expand ten times as much as steel, which matters for pipework and fits.
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