Thermal Expansion

Thermal expansion is the tendency of matter to change in volume in response to a change in temperature.

When a substance is heated, its particles begin moving more and thus usually maintain a greater average separation. Materials which contract with increasing temperature are rare; this effect is limited in size, and only occurs within limited temperature ranges (see examples below). The degree of expansion divided by the change in temperature is called the material's coefficient of thermal expansion and generally varies with temperature.

Read more about Thermal Expansion:  Coefficient of Thermal Expansion, Expansion in Solids, Expansion in Gases, Expansion in Liquids, Apparent and Absolute Expansion, Examples and Applications, Thermal Expansion Coefficients For Various Materials

Famous quotes containing the word expansion:

    Every expansion of government in business means that government in order to protect itself from the political consequences of its errors and wrongs is driven irresistibly without peace to greater and greater control of the nation’s press and platform. Free speech does not live many hours after free industry and free commerce die.
    Herbert Hoover (1874–1964)