Physics 151: Computerized Recitation #12

Fluids & Thermal Expansion


This recitation will focus on temperature scales and the coefficient of thermal expansion. Please experiment with the Physlet simulations below and complete the required calculations on your worksheet.



Simulation 1: Fluids & Archimedes' Principle

Description

The pumping simulation above is color coded as follows: blue is water, red is oil, and brown is a wood block initially floating at the interface. 

Worksheet: Which of the three situations (A, B, or C) is physical? Fully discuss why you think one simulation is physically realistic and why the other two simulations are not.



Simulation 2: Thermal Expansion


Animation 1 Animation 2 Animation 3 Animation 4

Description

Metal bars are heated as shown in the animations below (position is in centimeters and time is in seconds).

Worksheet: Determine whether all of the metal bars are made of the same material. Show your calculations and fully explain your reasoning.



Simulation 3: Thermal Expansion


Two aluminum alloy bars (coefficient of thermal expansion of  25 x 10-6 1/Co) fit together snugly until subject to a change in temperature as shown in the animation (position is in meters and time is in days).

Worksheet: Find that change in temperature. Show your calculations and fully explain your reasoning. Start