Two spheres are made of the same metal and have the same radius, but one is hollow and the other is solid. The spheres are taken through the same temperature increase. Which sphere expands more?
Correct answer: A. They expand by the same amount
- A. They expand by the same amount
- B. The hollow sphere expands more
- C. The solid sphere expands more
- D. There is not enough information to say
Explanation
The formula for cubical expansion is change in volume= cubical expansion coefficient x initial volume x change in temperature. Since the materials are the same, the cubical expansion coefficient will be the same. The radius for both of the spheres is the same so the initial volume is also the same. And the question states that they go through the same temperature change hence the spheres will go through the same expansion so the answer is A.
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About Thermal Equilibrium and Heat
Thermal equilibrium means that bodies in contact have the same temperature and no net heat flows between them. The topic distinguishes heat from temperature, uses the zeroth law of thermodynamics, and covers heat transfer, specific heat capacity, thermal expansion and the conditions for reaching equilibrium.
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