A steel rod 2.0 m long is heated and its temperature rises by 100 degrees Celsius. If the linear expansivity of steel is 0.000012 per degree Celsius, by how much does it expand?

Answer and explanation

Correct answer: D. 2.4 mm

  1. Step 1: Expansion = original length x expansivity x temperature rise. Step 2. = 2.0 x 0.000012 x 100 = 0.0024 m = 2.4 mm. Answer: 2.4 mm. Why not the others: 0.24 mm: That is out by a factor of ten. 24 mm: That is out by a factor of ten the other way. 1.2 mm: That uses 1.0 m instead of 2.0 m.

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