Question

The Eiffel Tower is a steel structure whose height increases by 19.1 cm when the temperature changes from -9 to +42 ^oC. What is the approximate height (in meters) at the lower temperature?

Answer 1

Relation between linear thermal expansion and change in temperature is given by:

dL = L0**dT

L0 = height at lower temperature = ?

dL = change in height = 19.1 cm = 0.191 m

= thermal expansion coefficient of steel = 1.2*10^-5 /C

dT = Change in temperature = Tf - Ti = 42 - (-9) = 51 C

So,

L0 = dL/(*dT)

L0 = 0.191/(1.2*10^-5*51)

L0 = 312.1 m = height of Eiffel Tower

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