Term

THERMAL EXPANSION

Definition

physical phenomenon where materials change their size with their temperature changes

Term

Thermal expansion is the physical phenomenon where materials change their size when their temperature changes. As a substance is heated, the particles inside it gain energy and vibrate more intensely, which increases the average distance between them. This microscopic movement translates into a macroscopic change in dimensions. Depending on the shape and measurement of the object, this expansion can be observed as linear expansion (change in length), area expansion (change in surface area), or volume expansion (change in overall size). The extent of expansion depends on the material’s coefficient of thermal expansion, which is a property unique to each substance.

Definition

Term

Definition

Thermal expansion is the change in size of matter in response to change in temperature.