Question bank: Expansion: Liquids in Containers

The expansion of liquids in containers is an important physical phenomenon for various scientific and industrial activities, as it allows measuring volumes and temperatures with great precision and reliability. For example, ethanol-based thermometers are devices used to measure temperature, as the expansion of ethanol is known and can be used to calculate temperatures with high accuracy. What happens to the volume of ethanol when it is heated?

In a laboratory, a Physics student conducts an experiment with liquids and containers to investigate the effects of thermal expansion. He uses a glass container with a capacity of 500 mL and initially fills it completely with water at a temperature of 20°C. Later, the student heats the system to a temperature of 70°C. Consider that the linear expansion coefficient of the glass container is 9 x 10^-6 ºC^-1 and the volumetric expansion coefficient of water is 3 x 10^-4 ºC^-1. Calculate the variation in volume of the glass container after heating. Determine the variation in volume of the water after heating. Considering that the excess water is poured out of the container, what is the volume of water that remains in the container after the experiment?

The expansion of liquids in containers is a phenomenon that occurs when the temperature of the liquid increases. This process is known as thermal expansion and is the result of the vibration of the liquid molecules, which become more active. When this happens, the liquid occupies more volume. If a bottle with a capacity of 500ml is filled with water halfway and heated from room temperature to 50°C, we can affirm that the volume not occupied by liquid should:

A chemical analysis laboratory has a 500 mL glass graduated flask with a flammable liquid at 20°C. In order to prevent flammable liquids from being exposed in the laboratory, the technician chooses to store the liquid in a steel flask. The volumetric expansion rates (expansion coefficient) of the liquid, glass, and steel are, respectively, 1000x10⁻⁶ ºC⁻¹, 20x10⁻⁶ ºC⁻¹, and 40x10⁻⁶ ºC⁻¹. In order for this liquid to be stored properly, it is important for the technician to know what the volume of the liquid and the steel flask will be when they reach the same equilibrium temperature. a) Considering that the temperature of the place where the liquid will be stored is 30°C, calculate the volumetric expansion of the liquid when it reaches this temperature and determine the total volume of the liquid in this condition. b) Calculate the volumetric expansion and the final volume of the glass flask when it reaches 30°C. c) If the steel flask has a capacity of 600 mL at 20°C, check if it will be suitable to completely store the liquid (consider the equilibrium temperature of 30°C).