Science
Sensible heat energy
Estimate heat added or removed when a material changes temperature using its mass and specific heat, keeping the sign of the temperature change.
Calculators / Science / Linear thermal expansion
Linear thermal expansion calculator
Calculate a solid’s change in length and final length from its linear expansion coefficient, original length and signed temperature change.
On this page
Length change6.00e-4m
Final length1m
Calculator controls
How to calculate
Calculate a solid’s change in length and final length from its linear expansion coefficient, original length and signed temperature change.
Length change = a*l*t m; Final length = l*(1+a*t) m
Worked example
Expansion coefficient (1/K): 0.000012; Original length (m): 1; Temperature change (K): 50.
Length change: 6.00e-4 m; Final length: 1 m.
Assumptions and limits
Calculate a solid’s change in length and final length from its linear expansion coefficient, original length and signed temperature change. Small linear expansion with a constant coefficient. Temperature difference is in kelvin or Celsius; this approximation excludes phase changes and large deformation.
Results are rounded for display; calculations use unrounded values. Read our calculation methodology.
Understanding the result
Calculate a solid’s change in length and final length from its linear expansion coefficient, original length and signed temperature change.
When this tool is useful
Length change = a*l*t m; Final length = l*(1+a*t) m
Understanding your inputs
| Input | What to enter |
|---|---|
| Expansion coefficient (1/K) | Enter a number of at least -1 and no more than 1000000000000. |
| Original length (m) | Enter a number of at least 1e-12 and no more than 1000000000000. |
| Temperature change (K) | Enter a number of at least -1000000000000 and no more than 1000000000000. |
Frequently asked questions
What assumptions does this calculation use?
Calculate a solid’s change in length and final length from its linear expansion coefficient, original length and signed temperature change. Small linear expansion with a constant coefficient. Temperature difference is in kelvin or Celsius; this approximation excludes phase changes and large deformation.
How is the result calculated?
Length change = a*l*t m; Final length = l*(1+a*t) m