513.001 Molecular and Solid State Physics

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Wolfram Alpha

Physical
Constants

Periodic System
of Elements

      

Thermal expansion

The thermal expansion coefficients αij describe how the strain changes as the temperture chamges.

dεij/dT = αij

For the mineral calcite there are only the three nonzero components to the thermal expansion tensor, α11 = α22 = -5.6×10-6 [K-1] and α33 = 25×10-6 [K-1] because the crystal class is trigonal. Calculate the expansion of a calcite sphere with diameter R for a temperature increase of 5 Kelvin.